The UK competition watchdog has launched an investigation into whether Google has too much power in online search.
Google accounts for 90% of UK web searches – the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into whether it uses this dominant position to harm competition or choice for users.
It is his first investigation after obtaining new powers to investigate and enforce changes at companies determined to have a “strategic market status” in digital markets.
The CMA says it wants to ensure the tech giant is “delivering good outcomes for people and businesses” and that there is a “level playing field” for competitors.
Google says it will cooperate with the investigation, however to caution What he calls “hypercompetitive digital rules.”
In a statement, Google said: “We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA to ensure that the new rules benefit all types of websites, and we still allow people in the UK to benefit from useful and cutting-edge services.”
It’s the latest in a series of investigations Google is facing around the world.
In the United States, The government wants to sell its browser, Chrometo address what was governed by the ruling Illegal monopoly in research And related ads.
The CMA says potential changes it could force include sharing data Google collects with other companies, or giving publishers more oversight over how their data is used for artificial intelligence (AI) features.
“Millions of people and businesses across the UK rely on Google’s search and advertising services,” CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said on Tuesday.
“And for businesses, whether you’re a competitor search engine, an advertiser or a news organization, we want to make sure there’s increased room for all businesses, big and small, to succeed.” She added, especially given the potential to “transform” the market.
The CMA’s announcement follows the Google Search and Advertising Digital Market Competition Regime coming into effect in January.
It gives the CMA the powers to investigate companies that it believes may dominate or hold a key strategic position in a particular sector.
and Explanation on their website He says that a company must meet several conditions before it can be assigned a “strategic market position.”
This includes having a UK turnover of over £1 billion or a global turnover of £25 billion, and being in a position of strategic importance or “established market power” in relation to a particular digital activity.
CMA He says It will look into whether Google is using its position in search to prevent its competitors from innovating or entering the market, or if it is “self-preferring” its own services.
It will also look into whether Google is collecting large amounts of user data without proper and informed consent.
“It is our duty to ensure they get the full benefit of choice and innovation in search services and get a fair deal – for example in how their data is collected and stored,” Ms Cardell said.
It will have nine months to conduct its investigation and two options at its disposal if it finds that Google has a strategic market situation – impose rules on how it behaves, or make interventions designed to increase competition.
Pinar Akman, a law professor at the University of Leeds, says it is “highly likely” that the CMA will launch similar investigations under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Code (DMCC) in the coming months.
“There is a general trend to regulate digital markets with large players around the world and the DMCC represents the UK’s response to this growing trend,” she told BBC News.
Professor Akman added that the system provides more flexibility than regulations such as the EU Digital Markets Act in adapting any interventions or market requirements.
He comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer The “vast potential” of AI to transform public services has been praised.
In a speech on Monday, Sir Keir said recommendations from the AI Opportunities Action Plan – a set of proposals backed by many technology companies – would be implemented across a range of areas to help grow the economy and make AI “work for working people”.
