Google says did "good job" replying to EU antitrust probe

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 25 June 2013 12:39 IST
Google said on Monday it had done a good job coming up with concessions to allay EU antitrust concerns it blocks competitors in web search results, as it sought to deflect criticism the proposals would serve only to reinforce its dominance.

The world's most popular search engine has been under investigation for nearly three years by the European Commission, the EU executive.

More than a dozen companies, including Microsoft , British price comparison site Foundem and German online mapping company Hotmaps, have accused it of squeezing them out of the market.

Google proposed concessions in April, hoping to end a case which could otherwise lead to a fine of up to $5 billion. It offered to label its own products in internet search results and make it easier for advertisers to move to rival platforms.

Its competitors, asked by the Commission to comment on the proposals, said the plans would actually strengthen Google's dominance of internet searches by forcing rivals to compete among themselves, and would also raise their costs.

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Google would almost certainly be asked to improve its proposals.

However Google's general counsel Kent Walker said on Monday that its offer went far enough.

"Our proposals are meaningful and comprehensive, providing additional choice and information while also leaving room for future innovation," Walker said on the company's Europe blog.

"That's why we focused on addressing the Commission's specific concerns, and we think we did a pretty good job."

Walker's were the first substantial comments from Google on the matter since it made its offer.

If the Commission decides Google's proposals resolve the competition concerns, they can make the commitments legally binding for the company.

The US Federal Trade Commission ended its investigation into the same matter without any significant action in January, handing Google a major victory.

© Thomson Reuters 2013

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: EU, Google, Internet
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Amazon Fire TV Stick HD (2026) Review
  1. Brothers and Sisters on OTT: Where to Watch the Emotional Family Drama Series
  2. The Pyramid Scheme OTT Release Date Revealed: Know When and Where to Watch it Online
  3. Most Powerful Neutrino Ever Detected May Have Come From a Blazar
  4. Faces Out on OTT: Know Where to Stream This Psychological Thriller Film Online
  5. Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Pre-Launch Test in Florida
  6. Activision to Shut Down Call of Duty: Warzone on PS4, Xbox One After Modern Warfare 4 Launch
  7. Vivo Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones Launched With Up to 75 Hours of Battery Life
  8. Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ Key Specifications Revealed Days Ahead of Launch in India on June 4
  9. Vivo TWS 5e Launched in China With 11mm Dynamic Drivers, Hybrid Adaptive ANC, Up to 55 Hours Battery Life
  10. Vivo S60 Launched With 7,200mAh Battery and 144Hz Display, Vivo S60 Vitality Edition Tags Along: Price, Specifications
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.