This is the time of year to give thanks to the things you have and to love each other. After all, that is what Thanksgiving was all about, and it’s the purpose of of the Christmas season. But Google is hard pressed to feel the love and thanks, as the European Parliament voted in favor of a resolution to “unbundle” Google’s search engine from the rest of its business. This is where we can all assume that Google isn’t the biggest fan of the EU right now.
the vote happened yesterday on Thanksgiving and was approved 384 to 174 with 56 abstentions. The hugely anticipated vote that was called upon the European Commission who is the EU’s antitrust regulator, to “enforce EU competition rules [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][and] to consider proposals with the aim of unbundling search engines from other commercial services.”
Not only did the European Parliament vote for the break p of Google, they called for the creation of a single digital market in Europe for the purpose of:
- Increasing tax revenues
- Promoting “non-discriminatory online search”
- Preventing the “secondary exploitation” of search data
- Developing uniform rules for cloud computing
- Promoting net neutrality
With news of the successful vote against Google, you’d think that would have a huge impact on Google itself, but essentially, the resolution has no legal force. It’s not only meant to be more of a “political statement”, but it’s an aspirational statement of policy goals. What’s interesting is that the only ones who aren’t hostile towards Google is the consumers, it seems. There in lies the issue. It’s the European Commission that is the one with the real power in this matter. The resolution that was passed by them is intended to place extra pressure on the European Commission to place stronger action in “restraning” Google’s dominant market position. Billions in fines could be thrown at Google if it finds Google has abused it market power .
For more on the story, you can check out the post written by Greg Sterling on Search Engine Land. Check out the link below!
Search Engine Land: Oh No They Didn’t: European Parliament Calls For Break Up Of Google[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]