Watchdog says Google can be forced to make changes in UK online search

Google may have to make changes in the UK to give consumers more options, which they use for online search services, the competition watchdog has said.

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the American technology giants under a new law, which means that the regulator can demand a change in a firm if it is found to have a lot of power in a particular market.

Google accounts for more than 90% of discoveries in the UK and 200,000 businesses use the company’s search advertisement to reach customers.

Its native company, Alphabet, stated that CMA’s suggestions were “comprehensive and unfocused”, but it was added, it would “work creatively” with the regulator.

The CMA said it was not accusing Google of opposing-intelligent practices at this time, but it has set a “roadmap” of changes in its business before the final decision in October.

These include various discovery providers as well as those publishers may require a “choice” screen for users for more transparency and control, whose content is seen in the search results.

The Watchdog said that the average person in the UK makes between five and 10 discoveries a day and businesses spend £ 33,000 per year on Google advertisements, but the figure could be lower if the competition was working well.

“Google Khoj has given tremendous benefits, but our investigation so far states that there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative,” said Sara Cardel, CEO of CMA.

He said that the proposed “targeted and proportional” change “would provide more options and control to the UK businesses and consumers how they interact with Google’s search services”.

But Google said that the result of investigation and suggested changes can “be important implications for businesses and consumers in the UK”.

A spokesman said, “CMA has reiterated today that the ‘strategic market situation’ does not mean that competitive behavior has been treated – yet the announcement makes clear challenges for our business in Britain.”

He said that the UK has “historically benefited from the initial access to” Google innovations, but said it could change as a result of “punitive rules”.

Watchdog started its investigation in Google in January, Saying It will see to ensure fair competition in online search,

Airlines, adult online retailers and media publishers were among 47 outfits, which were wide how they help or obstruct Google search practices.

Easyzet stated that a change in search engine in the European Union, as a result of the law of its broad digital markets, was sent to more customers to online travel agencies and aggregators, who incorrectly presented its services and prices.

Google Said in November The rival became part of the changes required to follow the Digital Markets Act of the block by promoting the visibility of the search engines and comparative sites.

But this step was for the decline of airlines and hotel operators, who lost to direct traffic, said this.

Meanwhile, both Lovehony and N Summers sell both sex toys, lingerie and sexual welfare products, stating that the clear results affected the “search” of their sites through their search engine by sensoring Google’s Safesearch feature.

Trade Association UK Hospitality suggested that the UK should avoid following the footsteps of the European Union with search requirements that can create “unexpected results” for businesses and consumers.

Sebastian Katil of the News Media Association said that the CMA’s intervention may lead to not only the traditional discovery but also for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) operated options such as Google’s own AI overview.

Increasing the transparency of Google on the use of news materials in such services will be “massive” for publishers, he told the BBC.

News organizations including BBC have Matter of concern Use their content to develop AI equipment of tech firms without consent or compensation.

“This remedy will carry forward the statutory objectives of fair behavior and trust and transparency,” said Shri Cuttack.

Google’s search operations have also faced an increased investigation by regulators in other countries.

An American judge ruled last August that the company An illegal search monopoly operated,

It has also faced the enforcement action of the European Union, including a fine € 2.4BN (£ 2BN) for allegedly “self -exercise”, its purchasing comparison in the results – Last year remains a penalty by Bloc’s apex court,