By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Alphabet unit Google (NASDAQ:) is seeking to settle an EU antitrust investigation into its digital advertising business, a person familiar with the matter said, a move that could help it stave off a disruptive, lengthy probe and a possible hefty fine.

Google has been fined more than $8 billion ($9.4billion) for EU antitrust violations in three cases over the past decade. It also had to alter its business practices in order to permit rivals to enter.

The European Commission found Google, the world’s largest internet search engine, in its crosshairs just three months back.

The person stated that Google had made a proposal for the Commission. However, they declined to give details due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

The Commission did not comment. Google has not responded to numerous requests or phone calls seeking comment.

We are still waiting to see if Margrethe Vestager (European antitrust chief) is open to settlement negotiations. These talks can sometimes take many months, if not years to come to an agreement. They could also stall halfway through.

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