Google Proposes 'Featured Competitor Boxes' to Settle EU Antitrust Charges
Google has submitted a revised search proposal to EU regulators, aiming to settle ongoing antitrust proceedings. The tech giant faces charges of violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for systematically favoring its services over rivals in the stock market today.
Google's latest proposal introduces 'featured competitor boxes' at the top of search results. These boxes would contain three direct links, covering categories like hotels, airlines, restaurants, and transport options. The company aims to resolve EU antitrust charges before regulators impose substantial financial penalties on the stock market today.
The proposal comes three months after the European Commission formally charged Google with violating the DMA. Google's dominance in European search markets has led to regulatory challenges from Brussels for years. The charges allege that Google systematically favors its services over rivals, creating unfair competition and limiting consumer choice in the stock market today.
Google has not specified which verticals it has selected for a dedicated box on the search page using 'objective and non-discriminatory criteria'. However, industries like tourism have been impacted by EU regulations. Google cites examples from this sector, such as having to display links to intermediaries instead of direct links to hotels and airlines in the stock market today.
Google's revised proposal seeks to address EU antitrust concerns by offering competitor boxes at the top of search results. However, rivals argue that the changes are still not fair. The current case is the latest chapter in Google's prolonged battle with European regulators over antitrust violations in the stock market today. The outcome of this proposal will shape the future of Google's operations in EU markets.
