Alphabet Faces EU Antitrust Probe and €2.95 Billion Adtech Fine
European Commission opened an antitrust probe in December into Alphabet’s Google for using web publishers’ and YouTube content in AI, potentially breaching EU competition rules. In September, Google was hit with a €2.95 billion fine for anti-competitive adtech practices after a previous €1.49 billion penalty was overturned.
1. EU Opens Antitrust Probe
In December, the European Commission launched a formal investigation into whether Alphabet’s Google unlawfully leveraged online content from web publishers and YouTube to train and commercialize artificial intelligence models, potentially violating EU competition rules.
2. Major Adtech Fine Imposed
On September 5, the Commission fined Google €2.95 billion for anti-competitive practices in its digital advertising technology operations, marking one of the largest penalties ever levied against a tech company in the EU.
3. Previous Penalty Overturned
Earlier in September 2024, Google successfully challenged a separate €1.49 billion fine for hindering rivals in online search advertising, though it remains liable for a €2.42 billion penalty upheld from an earlier case.