That's a very cynical view. As an European citizen I expect my representatives not to engage in such childish schemes even if it's about considerable sums.
I think the provided explanation is clear and the punishment reasonable.
By looking at the website do you think they were disadvantaged in Google search because of Google's monopoly or perhaps for MANY other reasons? I mean it doesn't even render on mobile...
> The European Commission has decided to open an antitrust investigation into allegations that Google Inc. has abused a dominant position in online search, in violation of European Union rules (Article 102 TFEU). The opening of formal proceedings follows complaints by search service providers about unfavourable treatment of their services in Google's unpaid and sponsored search results coupled with an alleged preferential placement of Google's own services. This initiation of proceedings does not imply that the Commission has proof of any infringements. It only signifies that the Commission will conduct an in-depth investigation of the case as a matter of priority.
I doubt it. We have a price aggregator (skroutz.gr) here in Greece that people prefer because it's actually useful. The above site doesn't look like that.
These things really don't work at the emotional, nationalistic level that people often ascribe to them.
I'm not going to find it again, but if you check the list of the largest cartel penalties imposed by the EU, 9 of the top 10 are European companies (plus one asian, I believe).
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/04/21/volkswa...
It's almost the same amount, US$2.8B. It's like the EU telling the US "F with our corporations and we'll F with yours".