EU regulators fine Google 1.49 billion euros for blocking advertising rivals

The Google logo is pictured at the entrance to the Google offices in London, Britain January 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay - Copyright HANNAH MCKAY(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 20/03/2019 - 12:34•Updated 25/04/2024 - 15:52

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators handed down a 1.49 billion euro (1.28 billion pounds) fine to Alphabet unit Google on Wednesday for blocking rival online search advertisers, marking the company's third penalty in two years.

Last year, the EU competition enforcer imposed a record 4.34 billion euro fine on Google for using its popular Android mobile operating system to block rivals. This followed a 2.42 billion euro fine in 2017 for hindering rivals of shopping comparison websites.