Google is reportedly seeking to settle a new antitrust probe by the European Union into its digital advertising practices. Reuters reports the settlement might help the search giant avert another hefty fine that could amount to US$18.2 billion.
In June, the European Commission launched an investigation into Google’s online advertising technology business for possible violations of EU competition rules. Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s executive vice president in charge of competition policy in the region, stated at the time that Google may be abusing its advertising dominance to make it “harder for rival online advertising services” to compete in this sector.
The EC’s latest investigation focuses on whether Google limits third-party access to “user data for advertising purposes on websites and apps, while reserving such data for its own use.”
Citing an anonymous source, Reuters says the Alphabet unit made a proposal to the EU, though the specifics of the proposed settlement are unknown at this time. If approved, Google’s settlement will allow it to avoid paying fines of up to 10% of its global revenue.
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Google’s Bid to End EU Antitrust Case with AdX Sale Rejected by Publishers
Sep 18, 2024 by
CPI
Google Challenges £7 Billion UK Lawsuit, Seeks Case Dismissal Over Alleged Market Abuse
Sep 18, 2024 by
CPI
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen Fined Nearly $1M for Antitrust Violation in Wells Fargo Deal
Sep 18, 2024 by
CPI
French Regulator Approves FDJ’s Kindred €2.45B Acquisition with Conditions
Sep 18, 2024 by
CPI
UK Competition Authority Targets Greenwashing with New Fashion Compliance Rules
Sep 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Canada & Mexico
Sep 3, 2024 by
CPI
Competitive Convergence: Mexico’s 30-Year Quest for Antitrust Parity with its Northern Neighbor
Sep 3, 2024 by
Francisco Javier Núñez Melgoza
Competition and Digital Markets in North America: A Comparative Study of Antitrust Investigations in Mexico and the United States
Sep 3, 2024 by
Julio Garcia
Recent Antitrust Development in Mexico: COFECE’s Preliminary Report on Amazon and Mercado Libre
Sep 3, 2024 by
Alejandra Palacios Prieto
The Cost of Making COFECE Disappear
Sep 3, 2024 by
Mateo Fernández