Google faces $9 billion fine for manipulating search results

The European Commission investigation said Google will face a fine of up to $9 billion for manipulating users' search results.

Google has been accused of using its Android operating system platform to suppress competitors - Photo: AP

According to Reuters news agency, this is the conclusion of a 7-year investigation by the European Commission in response to a series of complaints from competitors to Google in both the US and the EU about unfair competition moves by the world's most popular search engine.

The European Commission's investigation concluded that Google manipulated search results using its tools, sending readers to search results related to Google's own shopping services.

The fine will be announced in the next two months, before the EU's antitrust agency takes a summer break in August 2017, two EU officials said.

Google has sought three settlements over allegations of search manipulation before the case was finally settled, but each time it has failed.

For years, Google's rivals have complained to the EU's antitrust commission about what they say are unfair business practices in which Google manipulates search results in its favor, which they say is hurting users and other search engines.

Under EU law, businesses found guilty of breaching competition provisions can receive fines of up to 10% of their annual turnover.

For Google, this fine is converted to about 9 billion USD based on the company's total revenue in 2016.

In addition to financial penalties, EU regulators could also impose specific terms to force Google to comply with fair play rules in its business.

Google is also involved in two other EU investigations, but so far there have been no final results.

Google has been accused of using its Android operating system platform to suppress rivals and prevent competitors from competing in search advertising on its AdSense for Search platform.

According to Tuoitre