The French competition regulatory authority imposed a fine of 220 million euros (267 million dollars) on Google for abusing its dominant market position in online advertising to serve its own interests. Google did not contest the penalty, which is part of a settlement reached after a complaint filed against it by three media groups: News Corp, the French newspaper Le Figaro (which later withdrew), and the Belgian group Rossel, accusing Google of effectively monopolizing online advertising sales.
The fine represents the latest step by European authorities to take a stricter stance against major American tech companies. In its decision, the competition authority noted that Google offered preferential treatment to its own technologies marketed under the Google Ad Manager brand. Additionally, it stated that "the practices in question are particularly serious as they penalized Google's competitors in the market for advertising space sales platforms and publishers, especially news publishers."
In addition to the financial penalties, Google proposed commitments aimed at addressing the issues that arose during the French authority's investigation. Isabelle de Silva, the head of the authority, stated during a press conference, "This is a historic decision. It is the first decision in the world addressing the complex algorithmic auctions through which online advertisements are offered."
Alphabet, Google's parent company, reported revenues of 55.31 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2021, primarily from online advertising. The company is facing lawsuits in several countries based on competition law.
