E.U. ups pressure on Google in antitrust case

1/15/2014

BRUSSELS  — The European Union’s antitrust watchdog is increasing pressure on Google to swiftly provide improved proposals to address allegations the firm is abusing its dominant position in Internet searches.

EU antitrust chief Joaquin Almunia said today if Google fails to present better proposals to achieve a settlement, the EU will start the traditional antitrust procedure — which can take years but could result in fines worth billions of dollars.

Almunia said the feedback from competitors and other market players on the U.S. firm’s second set of proposed changes to its searches last year was negative, “so let’s see if Google can improve their proposal or we go to the traditional route toward a statement of objection.”

He insists: “We need more, not during the next year but during the next weeks.”