Google said to be facing record EU fine over shopping search service

Google is set to face a record antitrust fine from the European Union on Tuesday for promoting its own shopping search service over those of smaller rivals, according to two people familiar with the probe that has dramatically sped up in recent days. The fine for Alphabet Inc.’s Google, expected to top a previous $1.2 billion (U.S.) record, will skirt the usual rules that see all of the EU’s 28 commissioners discuss controversial decisions at a weekly meeting, usually on a Wednesday. Instead, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager will lay out a ruling that’s been rubber-stamped by her colleagues in a so-called written procedure, said one of the people who spoke on condition of anonymity. -- More....