“European antitrust authorities are preparing to issue search giant Google with a ‘statement of objections,’ reportedly 400 pages in length, detailing objections and accusations of “multifaceted abuse” of its search dominance,” Zack Whittaker reports for ZDNet.
“The European Commission opened a formal investigation into allegations that the search giant abused its position as the leader of the online search market, by unlawfully favouring its own services over that of rival companies,” Whittaker reports. “Should Google be found to be flouting European antitrust laws, it could be fined up to 10 percent of its annual turnover – thought to be in the region of $3 billion.”
Whittaker reports, “Such formal proceedings followed complaints made by other search engines, including Microsoft-owned search engine Ciao!, along with Foundem, and eJustice. An array of other companies followed shortly after, accusing Google of ‘cooking’ its search results to favour its own products and services. The Commission is also investigating whether Google lowered the ‘Quality Score’ for sponsored links of rival firms and competing services.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Kristian” for the heads up.]
Google being exposed as a cheating, thieving, lying bunch of bastards?
I don’t believe it.
Stakes are so high in this battle that it is mind mind-boggling.
This is why Apple’s $82 Billion war chest is more than handy.
They can buy away threats.
Personally I think it’s disgusting the way companies are treated as criminal for being successful.
Unless, of course, a company IS acting in a criminal manner in order to become ‘successful’. Advertising a service that clients pay for and operating the service that isn’t what was sold could easily fit in the category of criminal. The facts and courts will have their say.
Do you also think it’s disgusting the way the boogeyman hides under your bed?
Microsoft all over again.