Google nears settlement of French antitrust case -Wall Street Journal

FILE PHOTO: The logo of Google is seen at the high profile startups and high tech leaders gathering, Viva Tech,in Paris, France May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Alphabet Inc's Google is nearing a settlement of an antitrust investigation in France over allegations it abused its power in online advertising, and will likely pay a fine and institute operational changes, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The French Competition Authority has said that Google's tool to help websites and apps sell ads gave Google's online ad auction system an advantage over rival exchanges, the people told the newspaper.