New UK Government Must Move Quickly On Digital Markets Regime Following US Court Decision On Google Search
Responding to a US federal judge decision that Google has violated US antitrust law by maintaining its monopoly in general search services and general text advertising, News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said: “This is a landmark ruling that exposes and confirms the power Google exercises over search, and the consequences of that monopolistic power for advertisers and users. The sheer scale of payments made to other platforms through exclusive distribution agreements to maintain its dominance is staggering. Importantly, the court also found that the exclusive distribution agreements do not result in procompetitive benefits.
“With an appeal likely, and legal wrangling that could continue to rumble on, here in the UK this ruling provides more evidence which the Competition and Markets Authority can rely on when considering which tech platforms and services to prioritise for designation under the new Digital Markets Unit regime – which is why it is important the new government moves quickly to approve the guidance and secondary legislation required to bring the new law into effect.”