Google hit with record fine

[#1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40406542

Google has been fined 2.42bn euros ($2.7bn; £2.1bn) by the European Commission after it ruled the company had abused its power by promoting its own shopping comparison service at the top of search results.

The amount is the regulator's largest penalty to date against a company accused of distorting the market.

[#2]

Google will put up its prices to compensate, retailers have to pay more to advertise. Retailers have to pay more for Google's services - they put their prices up too.

Sadly the only winner I can see here are the EU, and the losers are consumers.

[#3]

Google isn't the only search engine available.

I use DuckDuckGo.

[#4]

Yes, but then you think about all the smartphones, browsers etc. which are by default is set to Google. On my iPhone it is and on my Mac. Can't remember about a PC, been so long since I used it

People like my sister even just type in a search term, rather than a full name of a URL they know.

You can change it of course I know, but I suspect most people don't bother.

I didn't know that one existed, may have to try it out.

[#5]

With the UK leaving the EUSSR has to get its pocket money from somewhere.

[#6]

It is a pretty hefty fine, i am sure Google will appeal and win. Surely one of the perks of the job? it is their platform.

[#7]

If Microsoft had done this (and they did, and were fined by the EU for it) people would be having a [-Censored-] fit. But when it's Google partaking in anti competitive practices people are all "ho hum, what's the problem?".

It's why I use neither Microsoft or Google services. For a company that built itself around the motto "Don't be evil" Google are a bunch of hypocrites.

[#8]

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VileReynard wrote:

Google isn't the only search engine available.

I use DuckDuckGo.

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I would have expected this thread to be at the top of any plusnet searches

[#9]

@Steve

"It's a pretty hefty fine"

Less than peanuts for a company earning literally billions a day or, in pretty Google colours per year.

As for being their platform Steve that is no reason to act dishonourably and dishonestly - hence the fine,

[#10]

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bjallenby wrote:
If Microsoft had done this (and they did, and were fined by the EU for it) people would be having a [-Censored-] fit. But when it's Google partaking in anti competitive practices people are all "ho hum, what's the problem?".

It's why I use neither Microsoft or Google services. For a company that built itself around the motto "Don't be evil" Google are a bunch of hypocrites.

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there's a slight differnece between microsoft and google though.
google have been fined for pushing their service on their website, which i find quite bizarre!

what next, fining ebay for only listing items available on their own service?

[#11]

Well no, it would be fining ebay for being both devious and dishonest. 

[#12]

well no, surely google can do whatever they want on their own website.
if you don't like it don't use the website, it's not like it's forced upon you.

being devious and dishonest is not against any law AFAIK.

[#13]

Ah yes, the 'freedom to starve' argument.

I just love it when that one is wheeled out.  

[#14]

I agree with @chenks76 and if I was Google I would be pretty annoyed right now. Surely I can do what I like on my own platform? and does Ebay sell anything? I thought it was an auction site of people selling their own stuff.

[#15]

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Minivanman wrote:

Ah yes, the 'freedom to starve' argument.

I just love it when that one is wheeled out.  

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no-one will starve if they use Bing or DuckDuckGo or Yahoo or any othe search provider