The European Union on Friday fined Google €2.95 billion ($3.5 billion) for breaching competition rules by favoring its own digital advertising services, drawing swift condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump. The European Commission, the bloc’s top antitrust regulator, also ordered the tech giant to halt “self-preferencing practices” and eliminate “conflicts of interest” in its ad technology supply chain, reported African News on Saturday. It marks the fourth multibillion-euro sanction against Google since 2017, underscoring Brussels’ long-running battle with Big Tech firms over competi

The European Union on Friday fined Google €2.95 billion ($3.5 billion) for breaching competition rules by favoring its own digital advertising services, drawing swift condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump. The European Commission, the bloc’s top antitrust regulator, also ordered the tech giant to halt “self-preferencing practices” and eliminate “conflicts of interest” in its ad technology supply chain, reported

African News

on Saturday. It marks the fourth multibillion-euro sanction against Google since 2017, underscoring Brussels’ long-running battle with Big Tech firms over competition and market dominance.

Trump Condemns EU Fine

Trump, whose administration has repeatedly criticized EU regulations and taxes targeting American tech companies, blasted the decision as discriminatory. “Very unfair, and the American Taxpayer will not stand for it!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This is effectively taking money that would otherwise go to American Investments and Jobs. My Administration will NOT allow these discriminatory actions to stand.” The decision is likely to deepen transatlantic tensions, already strained by disputes over tariffs, trade and technology regulation.

EU Says Google ‘Abused Its Power’

The Commission said its investigation found Google abused its dominance by favoring its own display advertising technology services, harming competition, advertisers and publishers. The probe centered on Google’s DFP ad platform and AdX exchange, which connect advertisers with online publishers. Regulators concluded the company’s practices forced advertisers to pay higher costs, which were likely passed on to consumers, while publishers lost revenue. “These illegal practices resulted in higher prices for consumers and reduced revenue for publishers, including news sites,” said Teresa Ribera, the Commission’s executive vice-president for competition policy. “At this stage, it appears that the only way for Google to end its conflict of interest effectively is with a structural remedy, such as selling part of its AdTech business.” Google has 60 days to propose changes or face further sanctions. Google rejected the decision as “wrong” and said it would challenge the ruling in court. “It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will hurt thousands of European businesses by making it harder for them to make money,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s global head of regulatory affairs. The Commission has previously warned that fines alone have failed to curb Google’s anticompetitive behavior, with the company adapting its practices to maintain dominance. That is why EU officials are considering forcing the sale of parts of Google’s lucrative AdTech business. The case stems from a formal investigation launched in June 2021. Regulators found that since 2014, Google had leveraged its market position in the AdTech ecosystem to disadvantage rivals and distort competition. Friday’s ruling came more than two years after the Commission first issued antitrust charges against the company, and it follows earlier penalties targeting Google’s shopping, Android, and AdSense businesses. Brussels’ move represents one of the most aggressive steps yet in the EU’s campaign to rein in Big Tech, highlighting growing global divides over how to regulate digital markets.  

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