EU launches antitrust probe into Google searches

[Singh400]

Pure nonsense. Luckily, Neowin has a separate section for people like you.

I always ask when people mindlessly defend corporations.

Thanks, but no thanks.

[Nihilus]

Google should just temporarily shut down their services in the EU and put up a page that says to contact the EU government if they are unhappy with the decision.

In some cases this antitrust stuff makes sense (eg. the poster above me) but in this case it doesn't. Companies shouldn't be punished for being way better than the competition.

Yes, this would definitely be the best response to an investigation.

I wish you were in charge of google.

[jakem1]

For the sake of consistency, the EU should demand that Google remove the link to GMail on their home page or at least allow users to select alternatives like Hotmail.

[ahhell]

For once I'm rooting for the EU.

I'll do the "Dance of Joy" if they target Apple.

:laugh:

[Athernar]

The EU should make Google put up a screen each time you visit the homepage asking if you want to use Bing or other alternatives instead of Google. :whistle:

[tiagosilva29]

Get them, European Union!

[Sheogorath]

I like EU and what they are doing despite what some of you are saying. If you didn't know a big part of Google revenue comes from UK :whistle: . Also someone should watch out for the Big companies, because they sometimes think they cannon be touched so they do what they want. This wouldn't happen if Google followed it's "don't be evil" policy. :p

[Ryoken]

Google should just move their offices outside of the EU, then they can tell them to stfu as there's nothing they can do, unless they want to block the domain and I'm sure that would go over great..

[revanmj]

EU should look at Apple's App Store, then they could be useful at least one time. So far they haven't done anything useful. Windows Vista and 7 N editions (without WMP) was fail because no one wanted to buy this. Browser ballot screen also is nothing in my opinion ...

[Julius Caro]

The EU should make Google put up a screen each time you visit the homepage asking if you want to use Bing or other alternatives instead of Google. :whistle:

they actually do that with google chrome

[Growled Member]

If Google has broken any local laws then they should pay the price. It never hurts to investigate these matters.

[seta-san]

Just out of curiosity, were you as vocal when the United States government lead the way in prosecuting and convicting Microsoft? The EU just followed America's lead.

Google operates in most EU countries and so have to follow their laws. They are not a US-only operation.

the U.S. never charged them 2.16 billion dollars for daring to appeal the case.

[hdood]

the U.S. never charged them 2.16 billion dollars for daring to appeal the case.

Neither did the EU.

[Nihilus]

Google should just move their offices outside of the EU, then they can tell them to stfu as there's nothing they can do, unless they want to block the domain and I'm sure that would go over great..

If they want to do business in the uk, it doesn't matter where their offices are.

And FYI, anti-trust cases are good for end users, and this is just an investigation. If someone files a complaint the EU have to make an investigation, some of the people here seem to be under the impression that the EU just decided to do this under their own volition. If you want to bitch at the EU, wait until their findings are made public.

[jakem1]

I'd be happy to see an investigation into why Google only pay about 2% tax here in the UK and something done to put a stop to it.

[primexx]

[ViperAFK]

Google is the worst offending company by a long way in terms of monopoly abuse. After acquiring YouTube, it started to aggressively push YouTubu video results at the top of search result pages, which helped YouTube destroy competitors like MetaCafe. Nowadays Google has started advertising for its own products like Google Chrome browser at the home page -- another clear monopoly abuse.

It's a good thing that finally this evil company is coming under the scrutiny of antitrust regulators.

How is advertising its browser on the homepage monopoly abuse?

[hdood]

How is advertising its browser on the homepage monopoly abuse?

Because search engines and web browsers are separate markets, and Google is using its dominant position in the first to gain an unfair advantage in the second.

[PreKe]

Oh **** off EU.

Uh, why? The authorities have an obligation to look into reports of illegal practices. Do you think the authorities should simply ignore all reports?

look at who's out of money again. looks like they spent microsoft's cache. google is an online service they should just continue running it from within the U.S. and give the finger to the E.U. *******.

What are you talking about? Microsoft wasn't fined in the previous antitrust case. The only time they were fined was when they refused to follow the law after the antitrust case in 2004. This has got nothing to do with money. It has to do with enforcing the law.

And Google should pull out of the EU, one of the biggest markets in the world? Right.

[PreKe]

Just what I thought, nice timing

E.U. is skint as it has been bailing out Greece, Spain, Portugal and E.I.R.E. so it needs a new cash-cow.

Was Microsoft, now it is Google.

You know, the ignorance and bigotry is really amazing. The EU didn't even fine Microsoft last time. So much for your conspiracy theories, eh?

Maybe you should go back to posting in 9/11 threads and talk about how the moon landings were faked.

EU should look at Apple's App Store, then they could be useful at least one time. So far they haven't done anything useful. Windows Vista and 7 N editions (without WMP) was fail because no one wanted to buy this. Browser ballot screen also is nothing in my opinion ...

Actually, the browser ballot screen was Microsoft's own idea. Also, that antitrust case did help because it forced Microsoft to reverse its positions on standards in IE.

[PreKe]

I swear someone should just buy the company and shut it down once and for all.

So should someone shut down Microsoft and Google?

I mean, since both of them have filed antitrust complaints against each other...

Or is it fine when Google or Microsoft file antitrust complaints, but not when someone else does it?

Google should just move their offices outside of the EU, then they can tell them to stfu as there's nothing they can do, unless they want to block the domain and I'm sure that would go over great..

Yeah, Google should act like a crybaby, and lose billions in revenue from one of the biggest markets on the planet. Good idea.

[Athernar]

Also, that antitrust case did help because it forced Microsoft to reverse its positions on standards in IE.

Still spreading your lies PreKe?

[acnpt]

I don't mind, I think its a good thing that the EU regulates monopolies.

Although just because they are investigating, doesn't mean google have done anything wrong.

Also....

The European Commission on Saturday said it was putting an end to an investigation of Apple's app policies. Competition Policy VP Joaquín Almunia claimed that Apple had relaxed iPhone development rules in direct response to EU investigations. Apple's move was characterized as proof change could be voluntary.

"Apple's response to our preliminary investigations shows that the Commission can use the competition rules to achieve swift results on the market with clear benefits for consumers, without the need to open formal proceedings," Almunia said.

Read more: http://www.electroni.../#ixzz16u4WFQ7B

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

<snip>

Chrome does actually do that though...

[PreKe]

Still spreading your lies PreKe?

Still recovering from being exposed for your hypocrisy when whining about Opera, but being fine with Google and Microsoft filing antitrust complaints against each other?