EU: Rivals heighten last-ditch effort against Google settlement

Competitors are taking their last chance to convince European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia that the planned settlement with Google over allegations of anticompetitive behavior is a mistake, according to reports.

Original complainants against Google, including its largest rival Microsoft, are reportedly meeting with regulators to thwart the settlement. According to reports, companies have met with officials in Brussels in the last two weeks.

Almunia was met with a wave of criticism from Google competitors – and even some fellow Commissioners – for his planned closing of the case, which would save Google from potentially billions of dollars in fines. The deal, opponents say, does not do enough to address concerns over the way Google displays rivals’ ads, and could potentially make the situation even worse, they say.

Almunia has since said he would consider modifying the settlement agreement but has generally shied away from turning back on the settlement.

The Commission will make a final, binding decision on the matter later this year, reports say.

Full content: New Zealand Herald

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