UK's antitrust watchdog has accused Google of abusing its dominance in the advertising market after the company refused to comply with a probe into allegations of anti-competitive behavior.

According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Google has failed to provide sufficient information about its practices and has refused to give assurances that it will stop abusing its power.

The CMA launched an investigation into Google's advertising practices last September, after receiving complaints from several companies that Google was unfairly prioritizing its own ad platform over those of its competitors.

"Google has failed to provide sufficient information and has refused to give assurances that it will stop abusing its power," said Sarah Cardell, the CMA's interim chief executive. "We are concerned that Google's conduct may be stifling competition and innovation in the online advertising market."

The CMA has given Google until September 14 to provide the required information and assurances. If Google fails to comply, the CMA may take further action, including issuing a formal warning or imposing fines.

Google has previously denied any wrongdoing and has argued that its advertising practices are in line with industry standards.

The CMA's investigation is part of a broader probe into the dominance of big tech companies in the UK. Last month, the CMA launched a separate investigation into Amazon's treatment of third-party sellers on its platform.

Read more at https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2024/09/07/2900177.jpg

UK's competition watchdog has hit out at Google for abusing its power in the online advertising market, accusing the tech giant of failing to provide sufficient information and refusing to give assurances that it will stop abusing its power.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Google's advertising practices last September after receiving complaints from several companies that the tech giant was unfairly prioritizing its own ad platform over those of its competitors.

According to the CMA, Google has failed to provide sufficient information about its practices and has refused to give assurances that it will stop abusing its power.

"Google has failed to provide sufficient information and has refused to give assurances that it will stop abusing its power," said Sarah Cardell, the CMA's interim chief executive. "We are concerned that Google's conduct may be stifling competition and innovation in the online advertising market."

The CMA has given Google until September 14 to provide the required information and assurances. If Google fails to comply, the CMA may take further action, including issuing a formal warning or imposing fines.

Google has previously denied any wrongdoing and has argued that its advertising practices are in line with industry standards.

The CMA's investigation is part of a broader probe into the dominance of big tech companies in the UK. Last month, the CMA launched a separate investigation into Amazon's treatment of third-party sellers on its platform.

Read more at https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2024/09/07/2900177.jpg