Google Settlement in Europe Must Include Non-Discrimination in Search

Today Joaquin Almunia, European Commissioner for Competition, announced that he had negotiated a new set of remedies with Google to restore both competition in the online search market and choice and innovation for consumers.

The following is a statement from Thomas Vinje, Legal Counsel and Spokesman for FairSearch.

“Until we have seen the details of Google’s proposed remedies, it would be irresponsible to comment on their content and potential for correcting the anti-competitive behaviour identified by the European Commission in May 2012.

“However, for FairSearch it is essential that the remedies install the principle of non-discrimination so that Google applies the same rules to its own services as it does to others when it returns and displays search results.

“FairSearch also looks forward to a deep and broad market test among complainants and key stakeholders as the only way to test the effectiveness of the proposed remedies to restore competition in the online search market.”