EU Commission demands concessions from Google
The European Commission is demanding concessions from Google in the proceedings regarding the abuse of its dominant market position. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia said Monday in Brussels that he had sent a letter to the search engine giant containing this request.
Google must make proposals "within a few weeks" and change any anti-competitive practices - otherwise it could face high fines of up to ten percent of its annual turnover. "I hope Google will take this opportunity to address our concerns," said Almunia.
The EU Commission opened proceedings against Google in November 2010. The EU competition watchdogs are investigating indications that the company deliberately displayed the offers of other search services too far back in the results for product queries. Instead, Google placed its own services in a prominent position below the search results. The IT giant may also have driven up prices for online advertising.
There are no fixed deadlines in the proceedings. (sda)
