Google's advertising practices targeted by EU antitrust probe

EU antitrust regulators have sought information from advertisers regarding Google's advertising technology practices, a European Commission document seen by Reuters shows. Alphabet-owned Google, the world's largest online search engine, has been hit with fines totalling 8.25 billion euros in the last three years for blocking rivals in online shopping, Android smartphones and online advertising. Google said it was cooperating with the Commission, whose 13-page questionnaire sent to advertisers this month asked about the impact of using the default setting 'Include Google Display Network' introduced in 2018 for search campaigns on Google Ads. The EU also wants to know if advertisers receive rebates when they use Google intermediaries which allow advertisers or media agencies to buy advertising inventory from many sources.