googles net profit is 115 billion/year. So while 3.5 is inconvenient, I imagine google feels that its just the cost of doing business in the EU.
EU Hits Google With $3.5 Billion Antitrust Fine
Submitted 3 weeks ago by inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
https://techstory.in/eu-hits-google-with-3-5-billion-antitrust-fine-over-adtech-practices/
Comments
kreskin@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
kameecoding@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Sure you can be cynical about it, but you could also read beyond the headline
Beyond the monetary fine, the European Commission is ordering Google to restructure parts of its adtech business. Specifically, Google must:
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End self-preferencing practices — meaning it cannot give undue advantage to its own services.
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Address conflicts of interest within its advertising supply chain.
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Ensure fair competition by opening its ecosystem more effectively to rivals.
localhorst@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Oh no, how will they ever be able to afford the 4 bn fine if they don’t comply
A_norny_mousse@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Yet at the same time Alphabet products are being used everywhere in often critical infrastructure.
I really wish the EU would do more about their pretty promises of strengthening their own.
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ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 3 weeks ago
That’s not how it works. Questions is how much more money they made by breaking this specific rules. If breaking the rules allowed to increase the profits by more then 3.5B then the fine is too small. If, for example, they made only $1B extra by breaking those rules then they effectively lost $2.5B and will stop breaking them.
kreskin@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
googles EMEA division is 29% of profits. So figure about 30k profits.
A_norny_mousse@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Holy crap. I thought you must have that wrong, probably meant revenue, but no, it really is Alphabet’s net profit according to DDG.
This in itself is enough reason that this company must die. Not that the EU will ever achieve that.
mechoman444@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
3.5 billion.
This isn’t a fine. This is just a windfall for the EU. The price of doing business.
If they really wanted to hurt Google they’d demand a percentage of their quarterly profits. Say 10%. That would really make Google nervous.
masterofn001@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
10% of gross revenue would be better.
Profits can always be turned to “losses” with clever accounting and shell corps (see Hollywood accounting)
And net values can always be offset by deductions and other costs.
You can’t fuck with gross.
mechoman444@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Agreed.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 3 weeks ago
That’s unexpected. Are they realizing that rolling over for Trump doesn’t lead anywhere?
Montreal_Metro@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Good.
phutatorius@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Cue more Trump tariff-bullying.
axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe 3 weeks ago
I’ve commented this multiple times but that fine is nothing for them. proton.me/tech-fines-tracker
Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Missing one or two zeros, but could be agood start if it is actually done
huquad@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
And that’s a big if. All these companies just appeal and get a fraction of the original penalty. Company death penalty needs to exist along with prison time for C-suite and board. Otherwise, this is just the price of doing business.