The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Google’s search services under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC). This is the first investigation of its kind since the new competition rules came into effect at the start of the year. The CMA aims to determine whether Google’s search and search advertising services should be designated with Strategic Market Status (SMS).
If given this designation, Google must comply with specific conduct requirements or pro-competition interventions imposed by the CMA. Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s chief executive, emphasized the importance of this investigation. She said that millions of people and businesses in the UK rely on Google’s search and advertising services, with 90% of searches happening on their platform and more than 200,000 UK businesses advertising there.
CMA investigates Google’s search services
Cardell also highlighted the need to ensure that people benefit from choice and innovation in search services and are treated fairly, especially regarding data collection and storage. She added that the CMA wants to ensure a level playing field for all businesses, large and small, to succeed.
The CMA has a nine-month deadline to complete its investigation. It will gather feedback from stakeholders and evidence from Google before deciding by October this year. In response to the inquiry, a Google spokesperson said that Google Search supports millions of UK businesses to grow by innovatively reaching customers.
They also stated that Google will continue to constructively engage with the CMA to ensure that new rules benefit all types of websites and allow people in the UK to access helpful, cutting-edge services.
