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Powys County Times
40 minutes 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
an hour 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.
an hour ago
- Business
UK antitrust watchdog says Google may have to offer rival search options
LONDON -- Google could be forced to let British users choose whether to use rival search services, the country's antitrust watchdog said Tuesday as it proposed using new digital regulations to boost competition. The Competition and Markets Authority said its 'priority measures' include requiring Google to present users with 'choice screens' when they use key products like the Chrome browser and Android mobile operating system. The choice screens would let users 'easily select and switch between search services," which could potentially include AI assistants, it said. The watchdog is seeking to give Google a ' strategic market status ' label under the new U.K. digital rules. That would give it the power to use 'targeted measures' to impose changes to 'specific aspects' of its search operations in the U.K. The CMA's move 'could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in the UK,' Google said. Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director of competition, noted in a prepared statement that CMA reiterated that 'strategic market status' doesn't imply that anti-competitive behavior has taken place, "yet this announcement presents clear challenges to critical areas of our business in the U.K.,' The watchdog has until Oct. 13 to decide on whether to give Google the label. It has drawn up three other initial priority measures that it would carry out if it goes ahead. Google would have to make its search results ranking and presentation fair and non-discriminatory, and give businesses an effective way to complain if they've been treated unfairly. Publishers should be given choice and transparency about how their content collected by Google is used for AI services, such as AI-generated overviews that have been appearing at the top of search results. The CMA also wants to ensure people can easily transfer their data, such as their Google search history, to other businesses, which the CMA said could foster innovative new products and services.
The Hill
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
UK antitrust watchdog says Google may have to offer rival search options
LONDON (AP) — Google could be forced to let British users choose whether to use rival search services, the country's antitrust watchdog said Tuesday as it proposed using new digital regulations to boost competition. The Competition and Markets Authority said its 'priority measures' include requiring Google to present users with 'choice screens' when they use key products like the Chrome browser and Android mobile operating system. The choice screens would let users 'easily select and switch between search services,' which could potentially include AI assistants, it said. The watchdog is seeking to give Google a ' strategic market status ' label under the new U.K. digital rules. That would give it the power to use 'targeted measures' to impose changes to 'specific aspects' of its search operations in the U.K. The CMA's move 'could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in the UK,' Google said. Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director of competition, noted in a prepared statement that CMA reiterated that 'strategic market status' doesn't imply that anti-competitive behavior has taken place, 'yet this announcement presents clear challenges to critical areas of our business in the U.K.,' The watchdog has until Oct. 13 to decide on whether to give Google the label. It has drawn up three other initial priority measures that it would carry out if it goes ahead. Google would have to make its search results ranking and presentation fair and non-discriminatory, and give businesses an effective way to complain if they've been treated unfairly. Publishers should be given choice and transparency about how their content collected by Google is used for AI services, such as AI-generated overviews that have been appearing at the top of search results. The CMA also wants to ensure people can easily transfer their data, such as their Google search history, to other businesses, which the CMA said could foster innovative new products and services.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
UK may compel Google to change search rankings, offer alternatives
Britain's competition regulator said it may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results and offer alternative services to consumers, 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 including artificial intelligence assistants, and facilitate data portability for competitors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Philippines: Jewelry On Sale For Half Price! (See Price List) Luxury Jewelry | search ads Google warned that "punitive regulation" could stop it bringing new features and services to Britain, and described the scope of the CMA's considerations as "broad and unfocused". "Proportionate, evidence-based regulation will be essential to preventing the CMA's roadmap from becoming a roadblock to growth in the UK," said Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director for competition. Live Events 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. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories "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 it presented clear challenges to critical areas of its business in Britain. The development and adoption of generative AI has the potential to upend the search market that Google dominates. The CMA said that Google was already incorporating generative AI features - such as AI Overviews - into its search products and developing its own assistant, Gemini . Its proposed designation would include AI-based search features, although not Gemini AI Assistant itself, adding that this would be kept under review as usage evolved, the regulator said. 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 scrutinyin 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.
