Google Wins Appeal Over $1.7B EU Antitrust Fine

Google has successfully overturned a €1.49 billion ($1.66 billion) antitrust fine levied by the European Union in 2019. The EU’s General Court annulled the fine, ruling that the European Commission did not take all relevant factors into account.

Why the Google Case Matters

This ruling represents a major win for Google in its ongoing disputes with EU regulators, and it underscores the difficulties antitrust authorities face in curbing the influence of Big Tech. The outcome could also positively impact Google’s legal battles with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Context - EU Antitrust

The case is part of a wider effort by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to hold tech giants accountable, though her track record in court has been mixed. While she secured significant victories against Google in another case and Apple over a tax deal with Ireland last week, this ruling marks a setback.

Case Details - Anticompetitive Practices

The fine stemmed from allegations of anticompetitive practices involving Google’s AdSense platform from 2006 to 2016. While the court agreed with many of the Commission’s findings, it concluded that the Commission had not adequately demonstrated harm to innovation, competition, or consumers. Google had already updated its contracts in 2016 to address the relevant issues.

Behind the Ruling

The case focused on a specific subset of text-only search ads displayed on certain publisher websites, a point Google emphasized in its response to the ruling.

Next Steps

The European Commission has the option to appeal the decision to the European Court of Justice on points of law. It stated that it would review the judgment before deciding on its next steps.

This ruling highlights the ongoing legal battles between tech giants and regulators as they navigate the complexities of digital competition and antitrust enforcement.