UK aims to tackle Google dominance of online search

2 weeks ago 9
The UK's contention  watchdog proposes to designate Google with 'strategic marketplace  status', subjecting it to peculiar   requirements nether  caller   regulationsThe UK's contention watchdog proposes to designate Google with 'strategic marketplace status', subjecting it to peculiar requirements nether caller regulations. Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP/File
Source: AFP

Britain's contention watchdog connected Tuesday projected measures aimed astatine tackling Google's dominance successful online search, with the US tech elephantine informing that "punitive regulations" could interaction UK economical growth.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it proposes to designate Google with "strategic marketplace status", subjecting it to peculiar requirements nether caller UK regulations.

A akin tech contention instrumentality from the European Union, the Digital Markets Act, carries the imaginable for hefty fiscal penalities.

Britain's CMA successful January launched an probe into Google's ascendant presumption successful the hunt motor marketplace and its impacts connected consumers and businesses.

It followed the 2025 implementation of Britain's Digital Markets Competition Regime, which the regulator connected Tuesday said "can assistance unlock opportunities for innovation and growth".

Google's spokesperson connected competition, Oliver Bethell, warned that the CMA update, preceding a last result owed successful October, "could person important implications for businesses and consumers successful the UK".

"The affirmative interaction of Google Search connected the UK is undeniable. Our tools and services lend billions of pounds (dollars) a twelvemonth to the UK," helium added successful a statement.

While noting that "Google Search has delivered tremendous benefits", CMA main enforcement Sarah Cardell said "there are ways to marque these markets much open, competitory and innovative".

The regulator said that it plans to consult connected imaginable changes, including "ensuring people tin easy take and power betwixt hunt services -- including perchance AI assistants -- by making default prime screens a ineligible requirement".

Another connection is for "ensuring Google's ranking and presumption of hunt results is just and non-discriminatory".

Bethell expressed interest that "the scope of the CMA's considerations remains wide and unfocused, with a scope of interventions being considered earlier immoderate grounds has been provided".

The CMA noted that "Google Search accounts for much than 90 percent" of online enquiries successful the UK.

It added that much than 200,000 businesses successful the UK trust connected Google hunt advertizing to scope customers.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck retired quality that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” artifact connected the location leafage and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Read Entire Article