Fri Sep 05 15:31:40 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The European Commission has fined Google 2.95 billion euros for anti-competitive practices in its ad technology business. The EU alleges Google favored its own ad services, harming rivals and online publishers. Google is ordered to stop these practices and address conflicts of interest. While the Commission hasn’t yet ordered a divestment of Google’s ad services, it’s considering it if the company fails to comply. Google intends to appeal the decision, arguing it’s unjustified and will harm European businesses. This is Google’s fourth major antitrust fine from the EU in the last decade.
**News Article:**
**EU Slaps Google with $3.45 Billion Fine Over Ad Tech Monopoly**
**BRUSSELS, September 5, 2025** – The European Commission has levied a 2.95 billion-euro ($3.45 billion) fine against Alphabet’s Google, accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominance in the online advertising technology market. The ruling, announced today, marks the latest chapter in Google’s decade-long battle with EU antitrust regulators.
The Commission alleges that Google has systematically favored its own display advertising services, disadvantaging rival companies and harming the revenue streams of online publishers. The investigation was spurred by a complaint from the European Publishers Council.
“Digital markets exist to serve people and must be grounded in trust and fairness,” stated EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera. “And when markets fail, public institutions must act to prevent dominant players from abusing their power.” The Commission has ordered Google to cease its self-preferencing practices and address inherent conflicts of interest within 60 days.
While the EU initially considered mandating a divestment of some of Google’s ad technology assets, they will first assess the effectiveness of Google’s proposed compliance measures. Ms. Ribera warned that stronger remedies, including forced divestiture, remain on the table if Google fails to adequately address the concerns.
Google has strongly criticized the decision, vowing to appeal the ruling in court. “The European Commission’s decision about our ad tech services is wrong and we will appeal,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Vice President, Global Head of Regulatory Affairs. “It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will hurt thousands of European businesses by making it harder for them to make money.”
The fine is smaller than some previous penalties imposed on Google by the EU, including a record 4.3 billion euro fine in 2018. This latest action comes amid rising global scrutiny of Big Tech companies and growing calls for greater regulation of the digital advertising market. The outcome of Google’s appeal could have significant implications for the future of online advertising in Europe and beyond.
First Piper 