In an article published on Tuesday 2 September, the media outlet MLex claims that a fine against Google – which ordinarily would have been due to be unveiled later in the day – was suspended a few hours before the announcement, due to opposition from the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič.
This information was denied by the European Commission, which stated that the investigation was “still ongoing” and that “no decision has been taken”.
“This type of arbitration is a collegial decision, as is always the case within the College. All members have their say”, said the institution’s spokesperson.
The European Commission also refuted any involvement by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), as claimed by MLex. According to this media report, Gail Slater, Assistant Attorney General in the DoJ’s Antitrust Division, sent an e-mail to the Commission suggesting that the decision against Google be postponed.
The European institution merely states that while it does cooperate with the United States, internal procedures of this kind are not influenced by this relationship.
Some European officials and senior civil servants fear that a condemnation by the EU of an American technology company, even for a completely unrelated case, could provoke the ire of Washington and jeopardise certain trade concessions on the American side with regard to reduced customs duties or exemptions that have been granted.
In 2023, the European Commission suspected Google of abusing its dominant position in online advertising by favouring its own ad services to the detriment of those of its competitors (see EUROPE 13201/14). (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)