The European Commission has slapped Google with a €2.95 billion fine, accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominant position in the adtech market by favoring its own advertising technology services.
The ruling, announced on September 5, 2025, marks the second-largest penalty in Google’s history, trailing only the €4.34 billion fine imposed in 2018 for monopolistic practices related to Android.
Google has promised to appeal the decision, signaling another contentious chapter in its ongoing battle with EU regulators.
The Commission ordered Google to cease its self-preferential practices and address inherent conflicts of interest within its adtech supply chain, giving the company 60 days to propose remedies.
This latest fine adds to a growing tally of penalties in Europe, which now approaches €10 billion, raising questions about the political undertones of these actions.
Amid strained U.S.-EU trade relations — exacerbated by threats from President Donald Trump to retaliate against EU regulations targeting American tech firms— the timing of the fine suggests a complex interplay of economic and geopolitical factors. Some speculate that the EU is leveraging antitrust enforcement to assert leverage, though the Commission frames it as a defense of fair competition.
In the U.S., the third major antitrust case against Google — focused on its advertising services and initiated during Trump’s first term — remains unresolved. The first case, centered on Android, ended with a significant loss for Google, while the second, concerning search monopoly practices, resulted in a mixed outcome: a court ruling confirmed Google’s monopolistic behavior, but no immediate, stringent measures have been enforced to curb it.
This leaves the third case, still unfolding, as a focal point of intrigue. With Google’s track record and the U.S. legal system’s slower pace, the outcome remains uncertain — will it deliver a decisive blow or another stalemate?
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The escalating fines and cross-Atlantic legal battles highlight a broader tension between tech giants and regulators. While Europe pushes aggressive enforcement, the U.S. approach appears more measured, fueling speculation about whether the third case will shift the balance or merely prolong the saga. For now, Google’s appeal and the looming U.S. verdict keep the stakes high in this high-stakes game of corporate accountability.
