The Monopolies Commission is calling on the European Commission to continue taking decisive action against digital gatekeepers such as Google. “The protection of competition must not become a political football for the Trump administration,” said Tomaso Duso, Chair of the Monopolies Commission.
The appeal comes in the wake of reports that the European Commission is suspending a fine against Google in the so-called ‘adtech’ case. Political considerations and pressure from the US are said to be behind this decision. In the Monopolies Commission’s view, this sets an alarming precedent for the independence of European competition law enforcement.
“The suspension shows just how risky it is to leave competition law enforcement solely in the hands of a politically motivated Commission. We, as the Monopolies Commission, recommend that the exploitation of dominant market positions, such as that by Google, be consistently curbed under competition law – to promote greater competition, efficiency and the safeguarding of democratic values in Europe,” emphasises Tomaso Duso. “The advertising market in particular is heavily dominated by Google and is, at the same time, a key market for the vital media sector.”
Brussels has been investigating Google since 2021 for exploiting a dominant market position on both sides of the advertising market. At times during the proceedings, a spin-off of Google’s adtech division was even considered; most recently, a moderate fine had been expected.
