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Germany: Google could be labeled a utility

By  |  July 14, 2014

Germany could soon label Google a utility and regulate the company as such, according to reports.

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    The nation’s Federal Cartel Office has reportedly drawn up a proposal to handle the growing dominance of Google and other tech leaders and, among the draft, includes plans to label Google a utility. The classification, reports say, would allow regulators to more easily monitor service pricing.

    The idea of regulating Google as a utility is not new; according to reports, talk of such regulation over Google appeared as early as July 1, though was described as an “emergency” measure to reign-in the company’s dominance.

    Germany has been an outspoken opponent to Google’s dominance, which has been the subject of a lengthy investigation by the European Commission. The Commission is headed towards an official settlement with the company, but several German officials, including Minister of Justice Heiko Maas, have called for a Google breakup.

    Experts say such a move is unlikely.

    Full content: PC Tech Mag

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