Overview

• The European Commission concluded Google unlawfully favored its own ad‑tech services, issuing the bloc’s second‑largest antitrust penalty and ordering an end to the conduct.
• Brussels said inadequate remedies could lead to structural measures, including a forced divestment of parts of Google’s advertising business.
• Investigators found abuses dating back to at least 2014, including advantages for AdX in publisher auctions run through DFP and the use of competitors’ bid signals.
• Google called the decision unjustified, said required changes would harm European businesses, and confirmed it will appeal.
• Regulatory pressure intensified this week with a U.S. jury awarding $425.7 million in a privacy class action and France’s CNIL levying a separate €325 million fine.