France Fines Google $268 Million for Unfair Online Ads Treatment

France Fines Google $268 Million for Unfair Online Ads Treatment
A woman walks past the logo for Google at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China, on Nov. 5, 2018. Ng Han Guan/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

PARIS—France’s anti-competition watchdog decided Monday to fine Google 220 million euros ($268 million) for abusing its “dominant position” in the online advertising business, an unprecedented move, the body said.

Practices used by Google “are particularly serious because they penalize Google’s competitors” in certain markets and publishers of mobile sites and applications, the statement by the Competition Authority said.