Google faces UK investigation over search dominance

The UKâs competition watchdog has launched an investigation into Google to probe whether it has too much power in online search.
Google accounts for 90% of web searches â the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking at whether it is using that dominant position to harm competition or choice for users.
It is its first investigation after gaining new powers to investigate and enforce changes at firms it determines to have âstrategic market statusâ in digital markets.
The CMA says it wants to ensure the tech giant is âdelivering good outcomes for people and businessesâ and that there is a âlevel playing fieldâ for rivals.
In a statement Google said: âWe will continue to engage constructively with the CMA to ensure that new rules benefit all types of websites, and still allow people in the UK to benefit from helpful and cutting edge services.â
It is the latest in a series of investigations Google faces worldwide over its immense power in search and advertising technology.
In the US, the government wants it to sell its browser, Chrome, to address competition concerns.
The CMA says potential changes it could impose include sharing data Google collects with other businesses, or giving publishers more oversight of how their data is used for its artificial intelligence (AI) features.
âMillions of people and businesses across the UK rely on Googleâs search and advertising services,â said Sarah Cardell, the CMAâs chief executive on Tuesday.
âAnd for businesses, whether you are a rival search engine, an advertiser or a news organisation, we want to ensure there is a level playing field for all businesses, large and small, to succeed.â she added, especially given the potential for AI to âtransformâ the market.
âA fair dealâ
The CMAâs announcement of its Google search and advertising investigation follows the digital market competition regime coming into force in January.
It gives the CMA powers to investigate firms it believes may dominate or occupy a key strategic position in a certain sector.
An explainer on its website says a company must meet several conditions before it can be determined to have âstrategic market statusâ.
These include having a UK turnover of more than ÂŁ1bn or global turnover of ÂŁ25bn, occupying a position of strategic significance or âentrenched market powerâ in relation to a certain digital activity.
The CMA says it will look at whether Google is using its position in search to prevent rivals from innovating or entering the market, or if it is âself-preferencingâ its own services.
It will also look at whether Google is collecting large amounts of user data without proper, informed consent.
âItâs our job to ensure people get the full benefit of choice and innovation in search services and get a fair deal â for example in how their data is collected and stored,â said Ms Cardell.
It will have nine months to carry out its investigation and two options at its disposal if it finds Google to have strategic market status â imposing rules on how it behaves, or making interventions designed to boost competition.
It comes after the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lauded AIâs âvast potentialâ to transform public services.
In a speech on Monday, Sir Keir said recommendations from the AI Opportunities Action Plan â a set of proposals backed by several tech firms â would be implemented across a range of areas to help grow the economy and make AI âwork for working peopleâ.