UK may force Google to change search rankings, offer choices

Britain's competition regulator said it may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results and offer alternative services to consumers, marking the first use of expanded powers to oversee the world’s biggest tech companies.

- PAUL SANDLE

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to designate Alphabet-owned Google with “strategic market status”, it said on Tuesday, giving it more power to intervene in search services to increase innovation and economic growth.

If confirmed in October, the designation could compel Google to enhance transparency for publishers, simplify access to rival search services including artificial intelligence assistants, and facilitate data portability for competitors.

Google warned that “punitive regulation” could stop it bringing new features and services to Britain, and described the scope of the CMA’s considerations as “broad and unfocused”.

"Proportionate, evidence-based regulation will be essential to preventing the CMA’s roadmap from becoming a roadblock to growth in the UK," said Oliver Bethell, Google’s senior director for competition.

CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said Google — which accounts for more than 90% of search queries in Britain — had delivered tremendous benefits. However, she added, the regulator had found ways to make markets more competitive and innovative.