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Google Could Face Heavy Antitrust Fines In the EU

Posted by timothy on from the we-understand-you've-got-a-lot-of-money dept.

SquarePixel writes "Europe's competition watchdog is considering formal proceedings against Google over antitrust complaints about the way it promotes its own services in search results, potentially exposing the company to a fine of 10 percent of its global turnover. Google is accused of using its search service to direct users to its own services and to reduce the visibility of competing websites and services. If the Commission found Google guilty of breaking E.U. competition rules, it could restrict Google's business activities in Europe and fine the company up to 10 percent of its annual global revenue (US$37.9 billion last year)."

5 of 292 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Google is Evil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Google+. It mixes with your results.

  2. EU are on crack by viperidaenz · · Score: 2, Informative

    Even if Google does what they suggest, Why is it illegal for a company to promote itself over others on the services it provides for free. If you don't like Google, don't use their services. It's not a requirement.

    1. Re:EU are on crack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      Read up on rules on monopolies. If you have a dominant position in one area and use that to gain an advantage in other areas, that's when you are in trouble. If no such rules were in place, the natural evolution would be that one company crushing all the others. Be thankful that that this is happening. It's good for you in the end.

    2. Re:EU are on crack by Guspaz · · Score: 4, Informative

      They have over 80% of the global search marketshare. That's what makes them a monopoly. There's nothing illegal with being a monopoly, the question is if a company is abusing that monopoly or not.

    3. Re:EU are on crack by Missing.Matter · · Score: 4, Informative

      You don't even have to be a monopoly to run afowl of antitrust laws; you just have to be able to exert undue influence on market forces. Since Google has a search market share of 70%-80%, promoting their products in those searches has undue influence.