EU aims to complete Google anti-trust deal this year
The commission will reject all fresh complaints that had poured in against the search engine
Brussels: The European Commission said on Tuesday that it still aims to wrap up an amicable anti-trust settlement with Google Inc. this year despite fresh complaints against the US Internet giant.
“In the next few days we will send letters of rejection to the 19 complainants (against Google) and I think that after the summer we should be able to complete this investigation," European Union (EU) competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia said.
Google and the commission in February had agreed on a deal over accusations that the world’s largest search engine was squeezing out competitors in Europe’s search market, so avoiding legal action and potentially billions in fines.
Almunia had said at the time that the accord addressed competition concerns in the commission, the EU’s executive arm, which had sparked an investigation into Google dating back to 2010.
On Tuesday, Almunia repeated that position, although with the caveat that the commission would still have to wait for the response from the 19 original complainants to having their cases rejected.
He also made clear that the decision would not be influenced by fresh complaints raised in recent days, one by Germany’s Deutsche Telekom AG and another by the Open Internet Project, which groups some 400 European companies.
“You cannot take up all complaints in one investigation," Almunia said, noting that in the 2010 probe, the Commission had considered a broad range of issues regarding Google and the Internet search market.
A key feature of the February agreement is that Google would give equal prominence to rival services displayed on its pages, a major concern for competitors who argue the company has abused its 90% share of the European search market.
Almunia also said he had replied to a letter from the French and German economy ministers, Arnaud Montebourg and Sigmar Gabriel, which called for Google to “improve" its offer.
“I agree with them that Google has many important activities which must be closely looked at," he said, but added that his remit only extended to the competition policy.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!