Google hit with $268 million fine, will change how it advertises in France

Google is going to change how it works with other companies regarding its online advertising business, as part of a settlement with France's competition authority that involved a fine of 220 million euros ($267.5 million).A probe by the French regulator determined Google had abused its market power in online advertising, the authority revealed on Monday. To end the probe and to appease the regulator, Google agreed to pay the 220 million euro fine, and to change its policies and how its advertising business works to encourage more competition.'The decision to sanction Google is of particular significance because it's the first decision in the world focusing on the complex algorithmic auction processes on which the online ad business relies,' antitrust head Isabelle de Silva said to Reuters. DeSilver added the fine was reduced from what it could be due to the settlement agreement, but didn't state how much it differed. Read more...