Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is likely to be hit with a second fine by the EU in the coming months for breach of the bloc’s landmark tech rules, and the European Commission is now drafting its decision, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing three sources.
The Commission earlier this month slapped the tech giant with a $3.45B (€2.95B) fine in an online advertising technology-related case.
The new fine relates to charges brought in March, which alleged the company favored its vertical search engines such as Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels over rivals, the report said.
The cases against Google were brought under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, according to Reuters, and sources told the news outlet the company could avert the fine if it comes up with an improved proposal.
Sources told Reuters the EC is not rushing to wrap up the case considering criticism from the Trump administration over the bloc’s crackdown on Big Tech and current trade tensions between the EU and the U.S.