Google risks more antitrust pursuers after rare surrender in EU

A file photo of the Google logo features the Eiffel Tower in Mountain View, California. In the settlement with France, Google pledged to end the privileged access to data it enjoys, agreeing to give other companies information on the minimum bid within an ad auction. — AFP

Alphabet Inc’s Google made a rare surrender to French and UK regulators last week when it offered global changes to its ad sales and tracking practices, marking a turning point in Europe’s long effort to rein in the search-engine giant.

The move could prompt other enforcers around the world to follow that example after years of inquiries and megafines by the European Commission haven’t changed Google’s behaviour.