Google faces competition investigation

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into whether Google is using its dominant position in the online search sphere to harm competition or choice for users. The competition watchdog says it wants to ensure that Google is “delivering good outcomes for people and businesses” and that there is a “level playing field” for rivals. Google, which says it will co-operate with the investigation, has warned against what it calls “overly prescriptive digital competition rules.” In the US, the Department of Justice has accused Google’s parent company, Alphabet, of monopolising digital ad technology and called for a breakup of the business, while the EU’s top court last year ruled that Google must pay a £2bn for abusing its dominance in retail comparison services.