EU suspects US net giant Google on unlawful media discrimination and the publication of websites in search results. The European Commission has so initiated an investigation, as it has announced. The investigation concerns in peculiar Google's policy, which allegedly reduces the value of media content in search results if websites contain certain commercial content from 3rd parties.
“Ensure that news publishers do not lose income”
Vice-President of the Commission Teresa Ribera (56) stated: "We are afraid that Google's policy means that news publishers are not treated fairly, decently and without discrimination in search results". This issue will be examined to guarantee that news publishers do not lose much of their income in a hard period for the industry.
In particular, the Commission wants to examine whether "Google applies fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms of access to Google's publishers' websites". The American giant is obliged to do so under EU digital law (Digital Markets Act, DMA).
Google policies may violate legitimate business practices
Monitoring revealed indications that Google, based on the so-called. "Site reputation abuse policy" may make it hard for publishers to make their websites and content more widely and legally available. According to Google, this policy aims to prevent practices that allegedly manipulate rankings.
The Commission now wants to examine whether the deterioration of the quality of content published by publishers by Google's parent company, Alphabet, affects the freedom of establishment of publishers, their innovative possible and their cooperation with external suppliers.
The European Commission has repeatedly punished Google
The beginning of proceedings is not yet evidence of a breach, the Authority stressed. The Commission intends to conclude the investigation within 12 months. Violations may consequence in fines of up to 10% of global yearly turnover and up to 20% of repeated infringements. In serious cases, the Authority may besides order structural action, specified as company division.
Since 2018, the European Commission has already imposed respective antitrust fines on Google and Alphabet with a full value of around EUR 8 billion. The highest fine of just over EUR 4 billion has been imposed for the Google Android operating system.
