Skip to main content

European Commission to hit Google with fines ‘large enough to act as a deterrent’ in antitrust investigation

A neon Google logo is seen as employees work at the new Google office in Toronto

The long running antitrust case faced by Google in Europe appears to possibly have an end in sight at long last. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the European Commission was preparing to file antitrust charges against the company, some five years after the investigation started. Now, Bloomberg reports that Google has been told by the European Commission to expect large fines as part of the probe.

The fine, according to the report, “would be large enough to act as a deterrent” for Google. The fine could be based on the AdWords revenue from European users, while Google will also be forced to make changes to how its shopping services are displayed to users.

The fines come after Google and the commission tried to settle the investigation three times, while other large companies asked the European Union to investigate Google for its anticompetitive actions. A settlement is still possible between Google and the European Union, but seems unlikely at this point.

The European Commission “intends to set the fine at a level which will be sufficient to ensure deterrence,” the EU regulator said in the document. The regulator “considers that, based on the facts described in this statement of objections, Google committed the infringement intentionally or, at the very least, negligently.”

Claims include that Google has been scrapping content from its competitors for use on its own services, displaying its services more prominently than others, and abusing its monopoly like power. Earlier this month, Google admitted that it hasn’t always been clear in its efforts to European users and said that it would work to repair its reputation .

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Email: Chance@9to5mac.com

Chance currently writes for both 9to5Google and 9to5Mac, in addition to 9to5Toys.