EU: Even Almunia’s peers aren’t convinced of Google deal

In the same week US consumer watchdogs sent a letter to the European Commission slamming its decision to settle with Google after a three-year competition probe, reports say European Commissioner Joaquin ALmunia’s peers aren’t much more impressed.

Two sources said two EU officials criticized Almunia’s decision to settle the case at a meeting on Wednesday. EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding and financial-services policy leader Michel Barnier were said to have voiced opposition to the result of the case.

Almunia announced the Commission had reached an agreement with Google after the company submitted its third round of concessions to ease concerns over the way it displays rivals’ search results. While the first two settlement offers were market tested and ultimately rejected, the third offer apparently appeased authorities and will not be market tested.

Sources say the EU officials criticized Almunia’s decision not to send the concessions out for testing, as well as for failing to approach commissioners ahead of approving the offer.

A statement for the European Commission said that Almunia had provided a detailed update and explanation regarding the Google settlement to the other commissioners, though reports did not say whether it was specified when that occurred.

Full Content: Bloomberg

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