EU regulators order Google to break up digital ad business over competition concerns
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy European Union antitrust regulators took aim at Google's lucrative digital advertising business in an unprecedented decision ordering the tech giant to sell off some of its ad business to address competition concerns. The 27-nation EU has led the global movement to crack down on Big Tech companies but it has previously relied on issuing blockbuster fines, including three antitrust penalties for Google worth billion of euros. The commission's decision stems from a formal investigation that it opened in June 2021, looking into whether Google violated the bloc’s competition rules by favoring its own online display advertising technology services at the expense of rival publishers, advertisers and advertising technology services. Google's ad tech business is also under investigation by Britain's antitrust watchdog and faces litigation in the U.S. Brussels has previously hit Google with more than 8 billion euros worth of fines in three separate antitrust cases, involving its Android mobile operating system and shopping and search advertising services.