Google may need to implement changes in the UK to provide consumers with greater options for search engines, following a recent decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA has identified Google as having “strategic market status” under legislation introduced in January, although this designation does not imply any wrongdoing at this point.
The CMA intends to explore “proportionate, targeted interventions” to foster a more competitive market. In response, Google has expressed concerns about potential measures that it believes could hinder innovation and growth within the UK. Google’s competition head, Oliver Bethell, highlighted in a blog post that UK businesses and consumers have benefited from Google’s innovations ahead of their European counterparts, contributing £118 billion to the UK economy in 2023 alone.
The CMA has noted Google’s significant market position, reporting that over 90% of searches in the UK occur on its platform. CMA digital markets head Will Hayter confirmed this strategic designation for Google’s search services. In a previous announcement, the CMA outlined a “roadmap” for potential measures if significant market status was confirmed, which may include implementing “choice screens” that allow users to select alternative search providers, and granting publishers more control over their content.
Additionally, the CMA’s roadmap suggests establishing “fair principles” for website rankings in search results and creating an effective complaints process for businesses dissatisfied with their listings. While the CMA’s decision has garnered support from consumer advocacy groups, such as Which?, which sees it as a crucial development, there are ongoing discussions about the balance between market competition and the potential impact on innovation. The CMA plans to initiate a consultation regarding these possible changes later in 2025.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98d7p8l9pro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss