Advertisement

European Parliament votes to break up Google

The vote is a signal for the EU to do something about Google's dominance in Europe.

By Ed Adamczyk

BRUSSELS, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The European Parliament, in a symbolic and non-binding vote Thursday, approved a resolution calling for the breakup of Google Inc. into separate companies.

The vote, 384-174 with 56 abstentions, part of a larger resolution and carrying no legal power, represents resentment over Google's power in Europe. The California-based Internet search company has about a 90 percent market share in Europe, a higher percentage than in the United States, and is suspected of favoring its own advertisers and services when presenting search results.

Advertisement

The landmark vote is seen as a message to regulators to address Google's European activities with more scrutiny. Google's competitors have asked for investigations of the company's vertical search service, which, they say, is biased; allegations Google uses content from other websites; its capability to sell advertising based on search terms users enter, and restrictions on the moving of online advertising to rival search firms.

It also suggests the Parliament wants Margrethe Vestager, the EU's new competition commissioner, to accelerate a decision on whether to formally charge Google with antitrust violations.

Proposed settlements with Google have, in the past, been called too lenient by competitors.

Advertisement

The EU's competition commission has never demanded the breakup of a company, but the vote is indicative of the EU's desperation in finding a solution. It has been proposed Google's search engine service be "unbundled," or separated, from its other services.

Latest Headlines