Google is abusing power over website ads, UK regulator says

of Great Britain antitrust regulator said Friday HAD provisionally found ABC Google abused its dominant position in digital advertising to restrict competition.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it believes Google is using anti-competitive practices in open display advertising technology. by favoring its own ad exchange, which could harm thousands of UK publishers and advertisers.

“We have provisionally found that Google is using its market power to prevent competition when it comes to the ads people see on websites,” said Juliette Enser, the CMA’s acting executive director of enforcement.

“Many businesses can keep their digital content free or cheaper by using online advertising to generate revenue. Ads on these websites and apps reach millions of people across the UK, helping to buy and sell goods and services.”

Google said it disagreed with the CMA’s view and would respond accordingly.

“Our advertising technology tools help websites and apps monetize their content and enable businesses of all sizes to effectively reach new customers,” said Dan Taylor, vice president of Google Global Ads.

“Google remains committed to creating value for our publisher and advertiser partners in this highly competitive sector. The core of this case is based on misreadings by the ad tech industry.”

The US Department of Justice and the European Commission are also investigating Google’s ad tech activities.

In June 2023, EU regulators said Google may have to sell part of its adtech business to address its concerns. Google said in December that such a step would be “disproportionate”.

The CMA said it had provisionally found that, at least since 2015, Google had abused its dominance on both the buy and sell sides of the advertising supply chain to favor its own AdX ad exchange in auctions. matching

The regulator can impose a fine of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover, the amount depending on the seriousness of the breach. It can also issue legally binding instructions to end the infringement.

Representations from Google will now be taken into account, the CMA said, before reaching a decision on what action to take.