Google has been fined $US 3.46 billion by the EU for allegedly abusing its power in the ad tech sector - the technology, which determines which adverts should be placed online and where.
The European Commission said yesterday the tech giant had breached competition laws by favouring its own products for displaying online ads, to the detriment of rivals.
It comes amid increased scrutiny by regulators worldwide over the tech giant's empire in online search and advertising.
Google told the BBC that the Commission's decision was "wrong" and it would appeal.
In its decision yesterday, the Commission accused Google of "self-preferencing" its own technology above others.
As part of its findings, it said that Google had intentionally boosted its own advertising exchange, AdX, over competing exchanges where ads are bought and sold in real-time.
Competitors and publishers faced higher costs and reduced revenues as a result, it said, claiming these may have been passed to consumers in the form of more expensive services.
The regulator has ordered the company to bring such practices to an end, as well as pay the nearly €3bn penalty.
Source : BBC
