The European Union threatened to crack down on an agreement between Google and Facebook parent Meta for online display advertising services, saying Friday that the deal may breach the bloc's rules on fair competition.
The EU's competition watchdog opened a probe into a 2018 pact involving the participation of Meta's "Audience Network" in Google's "Open Bidding" program.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said the deal may be part of an effort to exclude ad tech services that compete with Google's Open Bidding program — which would harm publishers and consumers.
"If confirmed by our investigation, this would restrict and distort competition in the already concentrated ad tech market, to the detriment of rival ad serving technologies, publishers and ultimately consumers," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement Friday.
The United Kingdom has launched its own inquiry into the agreement between Google and Meta.
The European Commission said it has been in contact with the U.K. competition authority and "intends to closely cooperate on this investigation following the applicable rules and procedures."
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
Read More