Latest news with #DigitalMarketsCompetitionRegime
Yahoo
17 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
Powys County Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Google may have to make changes to UK search engine, says watchdog
Google may have to launch changes to its search engine in the UK and hand more power back to publishers, the competition regulator has warned. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it is looking at whether it needs to loosen Google's control of its search engine and allow publishers more influence over how their content is used. Potential changes could see the regulator force Google to give internet users the option to use an alternative search engine. The tech giant is the first company being targeted by the regulator under a new set of digital market laws. 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 Regime. — Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) June 24, 2025 Google accounts for more than 90% of searches in the UK, while it is also used by more than 200,000 UK businesses to reach customers. Google said it would work 'constructively' with the CMA but highlighted that its plans presented 'challenges' to the business. The CMA, which launched its investigation into Google in January, said it is minded to give the tech firm 'strategic market status', which would require it to abide by a number of rules over its conduct. It could be forced to introduce new 'fair ranking' measures so users can compared its search results. Measures could also include Google providing 'choice screens' for users so they can use alternative search services. The regulator said publishers could also receive more control over how their content is used, including how or whether it is presented in AI-generated responses. A final decision is set to be made by October following a consultation process. Oliver Bethell, senior director of competition at Google, said: 'The CMA has today reiterated that 'strategic market status' does not imply that anti-competitive behaviour has taken place — yet this announcement presents clear challenges to critical areas of our business in the UK. '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. 'The UK has historically benefited from early access to our latest innovations, but punitive regulations could change that. 'Proportionate, evidence-based regulation will be essential to preventing the CMA's roadmap from becoming a roadblock to growth in the UK.' Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: 'Google search has delivered tremendous benefits – but our investigation so far suggests there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative. 'Today marks an important milestone in our implementation of the new Digital Markets Competition Regime in the UK. 'Alongside our proposed designation of Google's search activities, we have set out a roadmap of possible future action to improve outcomes for people and businesses in the UK. '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.'
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
UK aims to tackle Google dominance of online search
HighlightsBritain's Competition and Markets Authority proposed measures to tackle Google's dominance in online search, potentially designating the company with 'strategic market status' under new regulations. Google's spokesman Oliver Bethell warned that the proposed regulations could significantly impact UK businesses and consumers, while emphasizing the positive contributions of Google Search to the UK economy. The Competition and Markets Authority plans to ensure fair and non-discriminatory ranking and presentation of search results, as well as implementing default choice screens to facilitate switching between search services. Britain's competition watchdog on Tuesday proposed measures aimed at tackling Google's dominance in online search, with the US tech giant warning that "punitive regulations" could impact UK economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it proposes to designate Google with "strategic market status", subjecting it to special requirements under new UK regulations. A similar tech competition law from the European Union, the Digital Markets Act , carries the potential for hefty financial penalties. Britain's CMA in January launched an investigation into Google's dominant position in the search engine market and its impacts on consumers and businesses. It followed the 2025 implementation of Britain's Digital Markets Competition Regime, which the regulator on Tuesday said "can help unlock opportunities for innovation and growth". Google's spokesman on competition, Oliver Bethell, warned that the CMA update, preceding a final outcome due in October, "could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in the UK". "The positive impact of Google Search on the UK is undeniable. Our tools and services contribute billions of pounds (dollars) a year to the UK," he added in a statement. While noting that "Google Search has delivered tremendous benefits", CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said "there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative". The regulator said that it plans to consult on potential changes, including "ensuring people can easily choose and switch between search services -- including potentially AI assistants -- by making default choice screens a legal requirement". Another proposal is for "ensuring Google's ranking and presentation of search results is fair and non-discriminatory". Bethell expressed concern 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". The CMA noted that "Google Search accounts for more than 90 percent" of online enquiries in the UK. It added that more than 200,000 businesses in the UK rely on Google search advertising to reach customers.
Iraqi News
20 hours ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
UK aims to tackle Google dominance of online search
London – Britain's competition watchdog on Tuesday proposed measures aimed at tackling Google's dominance in online search, with the US tech giant warning that 'punitive regulations' could impact UK economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it proposes to designate Google with 'strategic market status', subjecting it to special requirements under new UK regulations. A similar tech competition law from the European Union, the Digital Markets Act, carries the potential for hefty financial penalities. Britain's CMA in January launched an investigation into Google's dominant position in the search engine market and its impacts on consumers and businesses. It followed the 2025 implementation of Britain's Digital Markets Competition Regime, which the regulator on Tuesday said 'can help unlock opportunities for innovation and growth'. Google's spokesman on competition, Oliver Bethell, warned that the CMA update, preceding a final outcome due in October, 'could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in the UK'. 'The positive impact of Google Search on the UK is undeniable. Our tools and services contribute billions of pounds (dollars) a year to the UK,' he added in a statement. While noting that 'Google Search has delivered tremendous benefits', CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said 'there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative'. The regulator said that it plans to consult on potential changes, including 'ensuring people can easily choose and switch between search services — including potentially AI assistants — by making default choice screens a legal requirement'. Another proposal is for 'ensuring Google's ranking and presentation of search results is fair and non-discriminatory'. Bethell expressed concern 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'. The CMA noted that 'Google Search accounts for more than 90 percent' of online enquiries in the UK. It added that more than 200,000 businesses in the UK rely on Google search advertising to reach customers.
eNCA
a day ago
- Business
- eNCA
UK aims to tackle Google dominance of online search
UK - Britain's competition watchdog on Tuesday proposed measures aimed at tackling Google's dominance in online search, with the US tech giant warning that "punitive regulations" could impact UK economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it proposes to designate Google with "strategic market status", subjecting it to special requirements under new UK regulations. A similar tech competition law from the European Union, the Digital Markets Act, carries the potential for hefty financial penalties. Britain's CMA in January launched an investigation into Google's dominant position in the search engine market and its impacts on consumers and businesses. It followed the 2025 implementation of Britain's Digital Markets Competition Regime, which the regulator on Tuesday said "can help unlock opportunities for innovation and growth". Google's spokesman on competition, Oliver Bethell, warned that the CMA update, preceding a final outcome due in October, "could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in the UK". "The positive impact of Google Search on the UK is undeniable. Our tools and services contribute billions of pounds (dollars) a year to the UK," he added in a statement. While noting that "Google Search has delivered tremendous benefits", CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said "there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative". The regulator said that it plans to consult on potential changes, including "ensuring people can easily choose and switch between search services - including potentially AI assistants - by making default choice screens a legal requirement". Another proposal is for "ensuring Google's ranking and presentation of search results is fair and non-discriminatory". Bethell expressed concern 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". The CMA noted that "Google Search accounts for more than 90 percent" of online enquiries in the UK.
