Google has emerged victorious in a court battle against a 1.49 billion euro antitrust fine imposed by the European Union five years ago. The European Union's General Court ruled in favor of Google on Wednesday, overturning the penalty that was imposed by the European Commission in 2019.
The General Court's decision to annul the Commission's fine was announced in a press release, stating that the penalty was being thrown out in its entirety. The fine had targeted Google's online advertising business, specifically focusing on ads displayed alongside Google search results on third-party websites.
The European Commission had accused Google of using exclusivity clauses in its contracts to prevent these websites from running ads sold by Google's competitors in similar placements. This behavior, according to regulators, limited the choices available to advertisers and website owners, potentially leading to higher prices that could be passed on to consumers.
This ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing antitrust scrutiny faced by major tech companies in the European Union. Google's successful challenge against the fine highlights the complexities and challenges involved in regulating online advertising practices in the digital age.
