Google Cleared in Mexico Antitrust Probe Amid Global Regulatory Scrutiny

Mexico’s antitrust authority, the Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece), has closed its investigation into Google without imposing any penalties. The probe, launched in 2020, examined whether Google engaged in monopolistic practices through its digital advertising services on both its search engine and third-party websites.

Cofece concluded that Google did not unfairly dominate the digital advertising market in Mexico. Specifically, the commission found no evidence that advertisers were compelled to purchase ads on third-party sites to gain access to advertising on Google Search. As a result, the tech giant avoided a potential fine of up to 8% of its annual revenue in Mexico.

A Google spokesperson welcomed the decision, stating, “We appreciate Cofece’s recognition that our tools offer advertisers flexibility and control.” While Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Google’s parent company, does not break out revenue for Mexico specifically, its "Other Americas" segment, which includes Latin America, generated $20.4 billion in 2024.

Despite this favorable outcome, Google remains under intense antitrust scrutiny globally. In the U.S., a district judge previously ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search and advertising. Additionally, the U.S. Justice Department and several states are challenging Google’s multibillion-dollar agreements with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and other phone manufacturers to remain the default search engine.

In a separate U.S. case, a federal judge determined that Google unlawfully dominated two key markets in online advertising tech. Regulators are now calling for the company to divest parts of its ad business, including Google Ad Manager.

As global regulators tighten the reins on big tech, Google’s legal battles are far from over—even as it finds occasional reprieves like the one in Mexico.