# EU Releases Google AdTech Antitrust Decision, Threatens Forced Breakup If Remedies Fail

*2026-01-22 04:31 UTC · Business · 1 min read*

> EU publishes €2.95B Google antitrust ruling as Commission weighs forced breakup amid US-EU trade tensions.

The European Commission published the provisional public version of its antitrust decision against Google on January 14, 2026, revealing details of the €2.95 billion fine imposed for abusing dominant positions in publisher ad servers and programmatic advertising markets.

Google filed an appeal on January 12 seeking to annul the ruling in Case T-794/25, challenging both the liability findings and requesting elimination or reduction of the penalty. The Commission is currently evaluating behavioral remedies Google submitted in November 2025, but Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera warned that structural breakup remains on the table if proposals prove inadequate.

The case has become a flashpoint in US-EU tensions. President Trump threatened tariffs against countries targeting American tech firms, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is pushing the EU to roll back tech regulation in exchange for a steel and aluminum deal. Ribera called the approach "blackmail," stating the European digital rulebook is "not up for negotiation."

Parallel US proceedings add pressure on Google. Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled in April 2025 that Google violated antitrust law by monopolizing publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, with her remedies decision expected in early 2026.

## Sources

- [ppc.land](https://ppc.land/european-commission-releases-public-google-adtech-decision-as-structural-remedies-loom/)
- [techpolicy.press](https://www.techpolicy.press/reviewing-european-antitrust-activity-in-2025-and-what-it-all-means-for-2026/)

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TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/24-eu-releases-google-adtech-antitrust-decision-threatens-forced-breakup-if