What a load of crap.

The EU anti-cartel unit regularly takes on big EU multi-nationals.

This is as silly as saying that the United States only acted against Volkswagen in the diesel scandal because they were not American.

It's not difficult for this American to imagine e.g. GM being treated quite differently had they committed the same offense. Granted, eventually they would have to stop cheating on emissions tests, but the narrative could have been completely different: "Due to its commitment to its customers and to the environment, GM is working closely with regulators to improve its emissions testing compliance, in light of new regulatory interpretations..."

> The EU commission just took it all for themselves

I've seen the EU in a club in Brussels blowing all the money that they took from Google and the British couple on booze and women.

Joking aside, I'm fascinated by the narrative by HN user on the EU.

It is true that there is reluctance to put pressure on your own industry. So we see that Microsoft, Google, etc. receive more pressure in EU, while Volkswagen receives more pressure in US.

However, the article points out perfectly well how Google uses their de-facto monopoly on Web search to stifle competition in other areas (such as specialized search services).

The couple can sue Google for damages as soon as its violation of anti-monopoly regulations has been established. They just need to wait until Googles appeal against the decision is rejected (which it most certainly will).