EU watchdog orders Google to break up digital ad business over competition fears

European Union regulators have ordered technology giant Google to sell off some of its lucrative digital advertising business in order to address competition concerns (Jeff Chiu/AP)

European Union regulators have ordered technology giant Google to sell off some of its lucrative digital advertising business in order to address competition concerns.

The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch and top competition enforcer, said its preliminary view after an investigation is that “only the mandatory divestment by Google of part of its services” will satisfy its concerns.