Google wins bid to overturn massive antitrust penalty

The ruling found the commission failed to demonstrate that Google's contracts deterred innovation, harmed consumers or helped the company hold on to and strengthen its dominant position

- KELVIN CHAN

Google won a court challenge on Wednesday against a 1.49-billion-euro ($2.25-billion) European Union antitrust fine imposed five years ago that targeted its online advertising business.

The EU's General Court said it was throwing out the 2019 penalty imposed by the European Commission, which is the 27-nation bloc's top antitrust enforcer.

"The General Court annuls the Commission's decision in its entirety," the court said in a press release.