Italian Watchdog Investigates Google Over Alleged Advertising Market Abuse

The watchdog said it suspects Google of using enormous amounts of data collected through its own applications to prevent rival operators from competing effectively, adding that it carried out inspections of some Google offices on Tuesday.

Google’s spokeswoman in Italy did not respond immediately to an emailed request for comment.

The Italian online advertising market was worth revenue of 3.3 billion euros last year, with display advertising, such as banner ads, accounting for nearly 37%, sector data showed.