The EU may force Google to make “sweeping” changes to its mobile search engine.
Regulators probed Google’s search business after complaints from competitors, demanding the company come up with a “remedy proposal” by this month. Google submitted a letter three weeks ago, and has since been in talks with EU regulators.
According to a report in the Financial Times, those negotiations are in their “final days”, but EU regulators are now also pushing for “sweeping” changes to Google’s mobile business – although it’s not clear what action is being sought.
The move is surprising, as the complaints were initially only regarding PC-based search, with Google accused of manipulating search results and unfairly promoting its own services.
While both parties are thought to prefer a settlement over a potentially lengthy trial, EU competition commissioner Joaquín Almunia has reportedly taken the first steps to creating a so-called “charge sheet”, in case a trial is necessary.
Google couldn’t be reached for comment at the time of publishing.
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