What happened
Turkey's Competition Authority fined Gürgençler, an Apple premium reseller, 29.4 million TL. The penalty stems from Gürgençler and rival Troy mutually blocking each other's brand names on Google Ads.
Why it counts as a violation
In search advertising, a brand name is the keyword users type to find a product or seller. According to the Authority, the two sides mutually agreeing not to bid on each other's brands amounts to an agreement that restricts competition.
What it means for readers
The decision shows that brand-name use in digital advertising is subject not only to platform rules but also to competition law. It could set a precedent for sellers making similar arrangements.
