The executive fines someone (like you are fined for violating parking regulations), then you can appeal that fine in court, in this case most likely the ECJ.
Would you argue that it's wrong to address a coporation's wrongdoings? EU companies are fined regularly as well, might not create such an upheaval in the US media, though.
If the government believes people have broken the law, in a democracy that means civil servants have to launch a criminal case and win a prosecution.
The EU is not structured like that, and thus doesn't have to win any prosecution. Margrethe Vestager just issue a proclamation with a number she and the Commission picked out of the air, and the deed is done.
That's a very narrow (and in my opinion even wrong) understanding of what constitutes a democracy. Prosecuting companies via criminal lawsuits might be the American way but that does not mean every democracy has to have those same rules. If an administration fines a company and there is the possibility to appeal to a court that is also a democratic process. My homecountry Germany uses this process (companies are never sued in a criminal lawsuit) and I don't see a reason why that would be undemocratic.
Neither is the US. Numerous state and federal agencies have the right to directly levy civil penalties. You have the right to challenge those penalties in court, as you do in the EU.
First: this is a civil law fine. In the E.U., companies are not subject to criminal law, only individuals are. It’s not much different in the US, where antitrust actions are also civil.
Second: Google can appeal in court. It’s exactly the same as it is in the US.
The executive fines someone (like you are fined for violating parking regulations), then you can appeal that fine in court, in this case most likely the ECJ.
Would you argue that it's wrong to address a coporation's wrongdoings? EU companies are fined regularly as well, might not create such an upheaval in the US media, though.