The European Commission has taken significant action against Google, imposing a fine of approximately $3.5 billion for its unfair online advertising practices. This amounts to approximately ₹3,08,59,10,87,700 in Indian Rupees.
Brussels: A major challenge has emerged for tech giant Google from Europe. The European Commission has fined Google approximately $3.5 billion on allegations of favoring its own services and impacting competition in online advertising practices. In Indian Rupees, this amount is approximately ₹3,08,59,10,87,700. The European Commission is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and this decision is being considered a historic step in the tech and advertising industry.
Reason Behind the Fine
The European Commission states that Google adopted practices in its advertising technology that favored the company itself and affected the competition of other businesses. The Commission has ordered Google to eliminate these preferential practices and take necessary steps to avoid conflicts of interest in the advertising technology supply chain.
Furthermore, regulators had previously threatened Google with potential business divestiture, but this step has currently been postponed. According to this decision, the company might have to sell off some of its business units, although no concrete order has been issued yet.
US President Donald Trump Expresses Displeasure with the European Commission
Immediately after this action, US President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure with the European Commission. He stated that while trade agreements with America and other countries are progressing well, this action by the European Union has negatively impacted major American companies. According to Trump, such actions against American companies, including Google, affect the business environment.
Google has called the fine unfair and stated that it will appeal the decision. Lee Ann Mulholland, Google's Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, said, "This is an unfair fine. Such changes could harm small and medium-sized businesses, leading to a reduction in their revenue. We will challenge it."
