Brussels takes tough stance on Google

Google will be forced to change the way it presents search results in Europe or face antitrust charges for "diverting traffic" to its own services, the EU's competition chief has said, laying out a sharply different approach from his US counterparts. In contrast to the Federal Trade Commission, which has given the all-clear to Google's search engine, Joaquín Almunia vowed to prevent Google distorting choices for consumers and taking business from rivals. "We are still investigating, but my conviction is [Google] are diverting traffic," Mr Almunia told the Financial Times, referring to Google's preferential treatment of its own vertical search services. "They are monetising this kind of business, the strong position they have in the general search market and this is not only a dominant position, I think -- I fear -- there is an abuse of this dominant position," Europe's antitrust enforcer said. His words mark a direct ultimatum to Google as talks on a pre-charge settlement enter a critical phase. They offer the most detailed public explanation of Brussels' concerns and hint at the likely shape of any deal, which would mark the first time Google has bowed to regulatory pressure on its core business.

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