Google Scores Rare Legal Win as €1.49bn Fine Scrapped

Google has successfully challenged a €1.49 billion fine imposed by the European Commission for allegedly abusing its market dominance by restricting rival online search advertisers. The fine, issued for violations between 2006 and 2016, was annulled by Europe’s General Court, which found that the Commission made critical errors in its assessment. 

The case focused on Google’s AdSense platform, with claims that Google prevented websites from using rival ad services by enforcing restrictive clauses in contracts. While the court upheld parts of the Commission’s findings, it ruled that the Commission failed to properly assess all contract-related factors, which undermined its accusation of abuse of dominance. 

Source: BBC