The Turkish competition authority announced on Monday that it fined Google around 482 million lira ($14.85 million) for not meeting its obligations related to hotel searches.
The Competition Authority stated in a written announcement on June 10 that the penalty was imposed due to Google’s failure to address the board’s concerns over fair competition with other local search engines. According to the statement, Google had established an advantage over competing local search and accommodation price comparison services.
Google provides numerous services in Turkey, including search, advertising, and YouTube, which are widely used by Turkish individuals and businesses.
However, Google has also faced scrutiny from Turkish authorities, including fines and regulatory actions related to competition and content moderation.
Google has also invested in infrastructure projects to improve internet access and connectivity in Turkey, contributing to the country’s digital economy and technological development.
Furthermore, Google has been involved in cultural and social initiatives, including preserving and promoting Turkey’s rich cultural heritage through platforms like Google Arts & Culture.