Consumer Watchdog has sent a letter to the European Commission on behalf of US consumers with a scathing reaction to the EU regulator’s decision to settle with Google after a three-year probe.
Reports say Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project commended the Commission’s efforts to maintain a strong stance in its probe, “unlike regulatory authorities in the United States.” However, the group said it “cannot understand what prompted this recent change in attitude,” alluding to the Commission’s decision to settle with Google after rejecting two earlier concession offers from the company.
Google’s third round of concessions was accepted by the Commission last week; Google reportedly offered to display rival search engine results, among other proposals, and the Commission is not planning on a market test.
Rivals have slammed the Commission’s decision to end the case and accept Google’s offer without a market test or competitive feedback.
Now, Consumer Watchdog is joining the vocalized opposition to the settlement after US regulators similarly settled with Google without sanctions.
”For the third proposal to be remotely viable, it must be a substantial change from the earlier iterations,” the consumer group’s letter said. “If it is such a significant change, then – by your own procedures – you must market test it.”
Full Content: Computer World
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Uruguayan Antitrust Scrutiny Puts Major Meatpacking Deal Between Marfrig and Minerva on Hold
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Alaska Airlines Seeks Dismissal of Consumer Lawsuit Over $1.9 Billion Hawaiian Airlines Buy
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Idaho Attorney General Orders Split of Kootenai Health and Syringa Hospital
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Court Rejects T-Mobile’s Appeal Bid in Antitrust Case Over Sprint Merger
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Google Requests Judge, Not Jury, to Decide on Antitrust Case
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Mapping Antitrust onto Digital Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystems and Competition Law: A Law and Political Economy Approach
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystem Theories of Harm: What is Beyond the Buzzword?
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Open Ecosystems: Benefits, Challenges, and Implications for Antitrust
May 9, 2024 by
CPI