UK antitrust watchdog says Google may have to offer rival search options
London – Google could be forced to allow British users to choose whether to use rival research services, the country’s antitrust guard dog said on Tuesday, when it proposed to use new digital regulations to stimulate competition.
The Competition and Markets Authority said that its “priority measures” include requiring Google to present “choice screens” to users when using key products such as the Chrome browser and the Android mobile operating system.
Choosing screens would allow users “to easily select and switch between research services”, which could potentially include AI assistants, he said.
The guard dog is looking to give Google a “strategic market status” label in the context of the new British digital rules. This would give it the power to use “targeted measures” to impose changes to the “specific aspects” of its research operations in the United Kingdom
The AMC decision “could have important implications for businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom,” said Google.
Oliver Bethell, main director of competition from Google, noted in a prepared declaration that the AMC reiterated that “strategic market status” does not imply that anti-competitive behavior has taken place “, but this announcement presents clear challenges to the critical fields of our company in the United Kingdom”, ”
The guard dog has until October 13 to decide to give Google the label.
He carried out three other initial priority measures that she would perform if it takes place.
Google should make its search results and its fair and non -discriminatory presentation, and give companies an effective way to complain if they have been unjustly treated.
Publishers must have the choice and transparency of how their content collected by Google is used for AI services, such as the AIs generated by the AI that appear at the top of the search results.
The CMA also wishes to ensure that people can easily transfer their data, such as their Google research history, to other companies, which, according to the AMC, could promote new innovative products and services.
