Latest news with #Cardell
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK may require Google to give users alternative search options and rank its results ‘more fairly'
The U.K.'s competition regulator said on Tuesday it is considering a new market designation for Google that would require the search giant to provide alternative search options to users, rank search results 'more fairly,' and offer greater control to publishers over how their content is used in search and AI Overviews. Under the new Digital Markets Competition Regime that went into force earlier this year, the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is launching a consultation on whether to designate Google with 'strategic market status.' Under that designation, which the CMA says is applicable to companies with a 'sufficiently powerful position' in their market, Google would be forced to adhere to a slew of measures, including: choice screens to let users decide and switch between search services (potentially including AI Assistants); fair ranking principles for search results; better controls for publishers in how their content — collected for search — is used in Google's AI services (including AI Overviews and Gemini AI Assistant); and ensuring people can transfer their data, such as their search history. In a blog post about the consultation and proposed designation, CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell noted that U.K. businesses spent more than £33,000 per advertiser on Google search ads last year. 'Google search accounts for more than 90% of all general search queries in the UK, with millions of people relying on it as a key gateway to the internet […] If competition was working well, we would expect these costs to be lower,' wrote Cardell. 'These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services — as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy,' Cardell said in a separate statement. The CMA is currently collecting opinions on this designation and the proposed measures from industry stakeholders, and will make a decision on the designation by October 13. Google did not immediately return a request for comment. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK regulators target Google search practices
Miniature figures of people are seen in front of the new Google logo in this illustration taken May 13, 2025. Photo:REUTERS Listen to article Britain's competition regulator said it may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results, marking the first use of expanded powers to oversee the world's biggest tech companies. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to designate Alphabet-owned Google with "strategic market status", it said on Tuesday, giving it more power to intervene in search services to increase innovation and economic growth. If confirmed in October, the designation could compel Google to enhance transparency for publishers, simplify access to rival search services and facilitate data portability for competitors. CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said Google, which accounts for more than 90% of search queries in Britain, had delivered tremendous benefits but the regulator had found ways to make markets more competitive and innovative. CMA takes first steps to improve competition in search services in the UK. We've proposed to designate Google with strategic market status under the new Digital Markets Competition — Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) June 24, 2025 "These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services - as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy," she said. Millions of Britons relied on Google as a gateway to the internet and more than 200,000 businesses depended on Google search advertising to reach their customers, the regulator said. The CMA, which gained global prominence when Britain left the European Union, aims to use its expanded power to rein in the power of tech giants such as Google, Apple, Meta and Microsoft without stifling investment or growth. The CMA's targeted approach contrasts with the EU's broader enforcement of digital regulations, as Britain seeks to balance curbing the dominance of tech giants with fostering economic growth post-Brexit. New powers Cardell said the CMA had set out a roadmap of changes the company could make ahead of a final decision in October. Google said on Tuesday that the CMA's SMS designation did not imply anti-competitive behaviours, but that its announcement presented clear challenges to critical areas of its business 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. The CMA said it planned further action to address more complex issues, starting in 2026, such as concerns about Google's treatment of rival specialised search firms and transparency and control in search advertising. The regulator's second investigation under its new powers into mobile operating systems also targets Google, as well as Apple. It could see the company receive another designation focused on its Android operating system. The CMA can impose fines for non-compliance and has direct enforcement powers. Google has been subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny in the United States and the European Union, spanning search, advertising, AI, and digital platform practices. Over the past year it was found to have monopolised search and online ads in two major US rulings, and it was charged in March by the European Commission with breaching landmark EU digital rules.
Engadget
16 hours ago
- Business
- Engadget
UK proposes greater regulation for Google's search practices
The UK might introduce new regulations for Google. The country's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed designating the company's search services with "strategic market status" (SMS). In doing so, the regulatory body could direct Google to create fairer business rankings on search, for instance. The CMA launched an antitrust investigation into Google Search in January — its first probe under the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act. Concerns include search advertising costing more than in a competitive market, minimal transparency on ranking search results and Google's vast access to websites and historical searches. There's also the issue of publishers getting fair terms and control over their content's use in search and AI-generated summaries. "Google search has delivered tremendous benefits — but our investigation so far suggests there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative." Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said in a statement. A final decision on Google's SMS designation will come by October 13. It would also apply to AI-based search features, but not Gemini AI Assistant — though the CMA states this is subject to change. If the labeling goes ahead then the CMA will likely enact "early priorities" like the following: Requiring choice screens for users to access different search providers Ensuring fair ranking principles for businesses appearing on Google search More transparency and control for publishers whose content appears in search results Portability of consumer search data to support innovation in new products and services These points stand as a roadmap for how CMA plans to handle any initial designation period for an SMS. "These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services — as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy," Cardell stated. The CMA aims to provide additional actions to tackle more complex issues beginning in early 2026. The SMS designation doesn't imply Google has engaged in anti-competitive actions. Parties interested in Google's status can provide their views on the proposal directly to the CMA.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
UK may compel Google to change search rankings to ensure fair competition
Britain's competition regulator said it may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results, marking the first use of expanded powers to oversee the world's biggest tech companies. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to designate Alphabet-owned Google with 'strategic market status', it said on Tuesday, giving it more power to intervene in search services to increase innovation and economic growth. If confirmed in October, the designation could compel Google to enhance transparency for publishers, simplify access to rival search services and facilitate data portability for competitors. CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said Google, which accounts for more than 90% of search queries in Britain, had delivered tremendous benefits but the regulator had found ways to make markets more competitive and innovative. 'These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services – as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy,' she said. Millions of Britons relied on Google as a gateway to the internet and more than 200,000 businesses depended on Google search advertising to reach their customers, the regulator said. The CMA, which gained global prominence when Britain left the European Union, aims to use its expanded power to rein in the power of tech giants such as Google, Apple, Meta and Microsoft without stifling investment or growth. The CMA's targeted approach contrasts with the EU's broader enforcement of digital regulations, as Britain seeks to balance curbing the dominance of tech giants with fostering economic growth post-Brexit. Cardell said the CMA had set out a roadmap of changes the company could make ahead of a final decision in October. Google said on Tuesday that the CMA's SMS designation did not imply anti-competitive behaviours, but that its announcement presented clear challenges to critical areas of its business 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. The CMA said it planned further action to address more complex issues, starting in 2026, such as concerns about Google's treatment of rival specialised search firms and transparency and control in search advertising. The regulator's second investigation under its new powers into mobile operating systems also targets Google, as well as Apple. It could see the company receive another designation focused on its Android operating system. Google has been subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny in the United States and the European Union, spanning search, advertising, AI, and digital platform practices. Over the past year it was found to have monopolised search and online ads in two major U.S. rulings, and it was charged in March by the European Commission with breaching landmark EU digital rules.
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Britain may compel Google to change search rankings to ensure fair competition
The Competition and Markets Authority is proposing to designate Google with 'strategic market status'. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON - Britain's competition regulator said it may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results, marking the first use of expanded powers to oversee the world's biggest tech companies. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to designate Alphabet-owned Google with 'strategic market status', it said on June 24, giving it more power to intervene in search services to increase innovation and economic growth. If confirmed in October, the designation could compel Google to enhance transparency for publishers, simplify access to rival search services and facilitate data portability for competitors. CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said Google, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of search queries in Britain, had delivered tremendous benefits, but the regulator had found ways to make markets more competitive and innovative. 'These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services - as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy,' she said. Millions of Britons relied on Google as a gateway to the internet and more than 200,000 businesses depended on Google search advertising to reach their customers, the regulator said. The CMA, which gained global prominence when Britain left the European Union, aims to use its expanded power to rein in the power of tech giants such as Google, Apple, Meta and Microsoft without stifling investment or growth. The CMA's targeted approach contrasts with the EU's broader enforcement of digital regulations, as Britain seeks to balance curbing the dominance of tech giants with fostering economic growth post-Brexit. New powers Ms Cardell said the CMA had set out a roadmap of changes the company could make ahead of a final decision in October. Google said on June 24 that the CMA's SMS designation did not imply anti-competitive behaviours, but that its announcement presented clear challenges to critical areas of its business 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 Mr Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director for competition. The CMA said it planned further action to address more complex issues, starting in 2026, such as concerns about Google's treatment of rival specialised search firms and transparency and control in search advertising. The regulator's second investigation under its new powers into mobile operating systems also targets Google, as well as Apple. It could see the company receive another designation focused on its Android operating system. Google has been subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny in the United States and the European Union, spanning search, advertising, AI, and digital platform practices. Over the past year it was found to have monopolised search and online ads in two major US rulings, and it was charged in March by the European Commission with breaching landmark EU digital rules. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
