The tech giant has been found guilty of preventing third parties from using its tool for displaying search ads for over 10 years. Google has changed its AdSense contract conditions in response, allowing large third parties more room to show their competing search ads. On Tuesday, Google said it will begin asking Europe-based Android smartphone users if they want to switch to competing search engines or web browsers. (The Next Web, Wall Street Journal)
Talking point: This is the third time the tech giant has received an antitrust fine from the EU. The company has previously been fined €2.4 billion for demoting rival shopping-comparison services in its search results, and €4.34 billion for using its ownership of the Android mobile operating system to cement its own market dominance. Despite offering concessions in those cases, Google has denied those charges, and is likely to fight this decision. More investigations are likely to come—EU antitrust enforcers have reportedly been asking competitors if Google unfairly demotes local search rivals—including in online mapping services, a potential fourth case.