EU studies Google's bid to avoid fine
2013-02-01 21:35
Brussels - EU anti-trust authorities said on Friday they
had received proposals from internet giant Google aimed at ending a probe into
its dominance of online search advertising platforms.
"We have received proposals from Google and have
started analysing them," said a spokesperson for EU Competition
Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.
The EU launched its investigation of Google in November
2010 following a complaint by companies in several countries, including Ciao,
which is owned by US software giant Microsoft.
EU competition authorities expressed concern following
claims that Google search results for items such as travel reservations
favoured its own services to the detriment of those offered by competitors.
Earlier this month the US Federal Trade Commission said
it lacked a legal basis to bring a case against Google for allegedly abusing
its dominance in internet searches, but added that it had won commitments from
the company to end the "most troubling" practices.
After significant progress in talks that nonetheless
stalled in July, Google met a midnight on Thursday deadline to avoid anti-trust
charges and a possible fine of up to 10% of its sales.
Critics say that Google controls about 70% of the internet
search market, and the advertising that goes along with it.
- SAPA
