The European Commission believes Google has not done enough to allay its concerns about the internet giant’s search and advertising practices and will press for more concessions to end its three-year anti-trust investigation.
According to Reuters, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, said more concessions would be called for.
He was responding to critics of Google’s offer to label its products in search results and make it easier to allow advertisers to move to other platforms.
A group of internet firms argued that the concessions offered by Google are insufficient and would force them to not only compete among themselves but would actually increase their dependency on Google.
The firms were given until 26 May to comment but that has since been extended to 27 June.
“After, we will analyse the responses we have received … almost 100pc we will ask Google: you should improve your proposals,” Almunia told lawmakers at the European Parliament yesterday.
The commission launched a large-scale investigation to review Google’s dominant market position in response to complaints from a number companies, including Microsoft and TripAdvisor, as well as smaller competitors across Europe.
Last year, Almunia gave Google an opportunity to resolve its rivals’ concerns.
European Commission image via Shutterstock
