Google faces probe in Europe

BRUSSELS, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The European Commission said it had opened an investigation of Internet search giant Google Inc. to explore possible antitrust business practices.

"This initiation of proceedings does not imply that the commission has proof of any infringements. It only signifies that the commission will conduct an in-depth investigation of the case as a matter of priority," the commission said in a statement.

The commission said it was following up on complaints that Google lowered the ranking of search results of competing search engines, giving a higher priority to its own "vertical search services," which are searches that result in price comparisons.

"The commission will also look into allegations that Google lowered the 'Quality Score' for sponsored links of competing vertical search services. The Quality Score is one of the factors that determine the price paid to Google by advertisers," the commission said.

In addition, the inquiry will look into the possibility the U.S. company "imposes exclusivity obligations on advertising partners … as well as on computer and software vendors."

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/11/30/Google-faces-probe-in-Europe/UPI-34841291127652/.