UK Plans to Increase Control over Google in search
Britain's competition regulator on Tuesday said it was proposing to designate Google with "strategic market status" to give it greater control over how the US tech giant operates search services.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said steps it could take included making it easier for users to access different search providers and ensuring fair ranking principles for businesses appearing on Google search, Reuters reported.
It also proposed more transparency and control for publishers whose content appeared in search results if it goes ahead with the designation in October.
Google will be the first company designated since the regulator gained new powers this year.
Google said the move could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in Britain.
"We're concerned that the scope of the CMA's considerations remains broad and unfocused, with a range of interventions being considered before any evidence has been provided," said Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director for competition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
32 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
Labor lawmakers threaten UK PM Starmer with revolt over welfare reforms
More than 100 British Labor lawmakers have supported a move to try to block Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government from changing the welfare system, saying the package does not provide for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. In what could be a major blow to Starmer a year after he came to power with a large majority in parliament, Labor lawmakers have spearheaded a plan to kill the government's welfare bill at a vote due next week. Due to a ballooning welfare system, Labor had in March said it planned to cut more than five billion pounds ($6.48 billion) from its welfare budget by 2029/30. The lawmakers, including the heads of select committees which probe government policy, have tabled a 'reasoned amendment,' used to express opposition to a proposed law. If that amendment is selected by parliament's speaker and then passed in next week's vote, it would halt the proposed law. Starmer has said welfare reform is essential to protect benefits for those who need them and get more people back into work. The welfare bill had been on course to top 100 billion pounds ($129 billion) by 2030, partly as Britain has one of the highest reported rates of working-age people out of work due to ill health among European peers. The government has argued that its proposed welfare budget cuts by 2029/30 would be backed by support for people using benefits to get back into work. Even though ministers have tried to soften the impact of changes to the sickness-related part of Universal Credit benefits and to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), designed to cover disability-related costs, dozens of lawmakers are still opposed. In their amendment, the Labor lawmakers declined to support the progress of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. They said the bill contained 'dangerous and counterproductive cuts to entitlements aimed at disabled people' and lacked 'measures to take proper account of the needs of people with ... long-term conditions.' One Labor lawmaker who supports the government said the amendment was 'very awkward' but that ministers might yet try to contain the scale of the potential rebellion. ($1 = 0.7350 pounds)
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Ukraine has cleared 20 percent of mined land, PM says
KYIV: Ukraine has intensified efforts to clear land mines and has cut the affected area to around 137,000 square km (53,000 square miles), a 20 percent reduction from the end of 2022, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on of the remaining mined areas are farmland, Shmyhal is a global major grain grower but it reduced harvests sharply after Russia's 2022 invasion left large areas occupied and said about 9,000 people from 112 specialized companies are now involved in mine analysts say Ukraine needs at least 10 years to demine all territories.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
France orders Tesla to end ‘deceptive commercial practices'
PARIS: French anti-fraud authorities said on Tuesday they have ordered US electric car giant Tesla's local subsidiary to stop 'deceptive commercial practices' after an investigation found several violations harmful to consumers and contrary to law. The fraud prevention and consumer protection agency (DGCCRF) said its agents investigated Tesla's French subsidiary between 2023 and 2024 after reports were filed on a consumer complaint platform. The probe revealed 'deceptive commercial practices regarding the fully autonomous driving capabilities of Tesla vehicles, the availability of certain options and vehicle trade-in offers,' it said. The agency also cited delays in refunding canceled orders, a lack of information on the location of deliveries and incomplete sales contracts, among other violations. Tesla was given four months to comply with regulations. It faces a daily fine of 50,000 euros ($58,000) if it fails to stop deceptive commercial practices over the fully autonomous driving option of certain Tesla models. Tesla did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Tesla sales have tanked in Europe in recent months owing to an aging fleet of cars, rising competition and consumer distaste for Elon Musk's role in US President Donald Trump's administration.
