India fines Google for ‘search bias’

India’s antitrust watchdog imposed a 1.36 billion rupees ($21.17 million) fine on Google for “search bias” and abuse of its dominant position, in the latest regulatory setback for the world’s most popular internet search engine, reports Reuters. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said Google was abusing its dominance in online web search and online search advertising markets. “Google was found to be indulging in practices of search bias and by doing so, it causes harm to its competitors as well as to users,” the CCI said in a 190-page order. “Google was leveraging its dominance in the market for online general web search, to strengthen its position in the market for online syndicate search services,” the CCI said. However, the CCI said it did not find any contravention in respect of Google’s specialised search design, AdWords and online distribution agreements. Read more

• Thursday, 22 February 2018