UK slaps Google Search with special market status, making way for stricter regulations

Friday Competition in the UK and Market Authority (CMA) Chosen Google with a special status in the market for online search that will enable the regulator to enforce strict regulations.

The CMA has nominated Google as “strategic market status” in search and search advertising markets, which means that the company has such “sufficient and involved” positions that require special rules to ensure fair competition.

“For an extended period of Google, this digital activity was an unparalleled position. ReportThe

Although this designation does not mean that the CMA has found evidence of wrongdoing and does not introduce any instant requirements, it opens the gates to launch further evaluation and introduces interference to change how Google operates its search services in the country.

The surname covers Google search and online search ad services; Its AI-capable search features are similar to the AI ​​Overview and AI mode; And ‘discover’ feed and results, as well as “top story” and news tab. It does not cover Google News applications and websites and search syndication services are also out of opportunity.

The CMA, however, mentions that even though Google’s Gemini AI assistant is not covered by this designation at the moment, it will review the scope of uncertainty on how the AI ​​search market is developing.

The regulator says that it will start consultation on possible intervention later this year.

This step follows nine months Investigation The company launched earlier this year after the new digital market competition in the UK came into effect in January. CMA wanted to prove whether Google was enabled in weak competition and “barrier to entered into search and innovation”; Whether the company likes its own services compared to persons given by the third party; And if it uses consumer data without their clear consent.

CMA Roadmap Possible enforcement activities may include: to choose and switch search engines through the preferred screens of UK residents; Implementation of data transportation system; Fair rankings of the search results; To ensure the proper features of publishers’ work in the search; And enables consent for Google’s AI services.

Google, for its part, says that any interference after following this designation will harm the UK innovation “UK enjoys access to latest products and services before other countries as it has so far avoided searches in popular services, such as searching for such a position to hold on to other judicial rules.” Blog postThe

“Many concepts for the intervention raised in this process prevent the UK’s innovation and growth, potentially slow the introduction of the product during the AI-based innovation. Others directly damage the business, some warning that they may be forced to raise prices for customers.”