Overview

• Brussels concluded Google distorted competition by favoring its own ad‑technology stack, finding abuses at least since 2014 that harmed rivals, advertisers and publishers.
• Investigators cited conduct in ad auctions in which AdX gained an edge, including receiving the highest competing bid via DFP, breaching EU competition rules.
• The order requires Google to halt the behavior and file a compliance plan within 60 days, with forced divestment on the table if remedies are deemed inadequate.
• Google called the ruling unjustified and said it will appeal, arguing the required changes would make it harder for thousands of European businesses to earn revenue.
• U.S. President Donald Trump denounced the penalty and threatened a Section 301 trade action, as Google also faces a $425.7 million U.S. privacy verdict and a €325 million CNIL fine this week.