Google fined 150 million euros

In September, Internet search giant Google agreed to pay nearly one billion euros to French authorities for a tax fraud that began four years ago.

France's Competition Authority fined Google 150 million euros for what it said were anti-competitive behavior and misleading advertising.

The rules for Google's advertising platform are not transparent and difficult to understand, French authorities said on Friday.

The fine comes at a time when France and other European countries have increased controls on US technology companies such as Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon, which are often criticized for paying relatively low taxes.

In September, Internet search giant Google agreed to pay nearly one billion euros to French authorities for a tax fraud that began four years ago.

Isabelle de Silva, head of the French Competition Authority, said Google's dominance of online advertising is "extraordinary".

According to her, the American company controls 90 percent of the market in this field.

Google said it will appeal the fine.