The European Commission has formally accused Google of unfair competition for suspecting that its search engine, which captures 90% of Internet searches in Europe, favors their services to the detriment of competition .
We explain what it is about 5 points:
What is accused Google
After five years Research the Commission considers that Google favors, or favored, on the results of your search engine your own price comparison service GoogleShopping and its predecessor, Google Product Search, to the detriment of the same services offered by its competitors; so users do not necessarily see the comparison results more relevant prices. Brussels does not exclude go further in his accusations and include other specialized search engines of Google, as the flight search.
Android and possible copying of content
In addition to price comparison, Europeans suspect that Google copied the Internet content of their competitors (something denounced by Yelp and Amazon, among others), imposing exclusivity clauses its advertisers and imposes restrictions that harm advertisers who want to migrate your Google AdWords advertising to other sites. The Commission promised to continue investigating “actively” on these points
Another fear. Google could have hampered the development and market access for competitors of Android operating systems in the mobile telephony sector. Android is used by more than 80% of smartphones sold worldwide. The Commission initiated an investigation on this point. Google tries to resolve whether forced or encouraged manufacturers preinstall phones and tablets alone applications or services from Google.
What expects the commission
In its notice of objections, the Commission suggests the US giant “treat your own price comparison service in the same way it treats its competitors”, which “would not affect the algorithms applied” or the way they conceive the results pages of Google.
What is exposed Google
“If the investigation confirms suspicions, Google will assume the legal consequences and modify the way in which conducts its activities in Europe, “said the Commission, which gave ten weeks the group to answer.
At this point you can still reach a mutually agreed solution but in the worst cases, the US giant is exposed to a fine of up to 10% of its turnover, ie more than 6000 million.
It transforms into a political conflict
US President Barack Obama had accused the European Union to investigate Internet giants to defend their commercial interests. “Sometimes, the European response is motivated by trade issues more than anything else. (…) What is described as a noble position is just a way of favoring business interests,” he had said in an interview earlier this year .
A charge that Wednesday defended the European Commissioner in charge of the case, Margrete Vestager, before a two-day visit to Washington. “My children and I tell ourselves that this company is European or American. We use Google because it offers very good products,” he said at a press conference.
Google rejects accusations
Google considers erroneous view of the European Commission: “While Google is perhaps the most used search tool, people can now find and access information in many ways, and allegations of harm to consumers and competitors are far from reality, “argued the company.
Agency AFP .
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