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European Lawmakers Push to Break Up Google


FILE - An illustration picture shows a Google logo with two one Euro coins.
FILE - An illustration picture shows a Google logo with two one Euro coins.

The European Parliament is urging European anti-trust regulators to break up Google.

The non-binding resolution passed Thursday, 384 to 174, as lawmakers try to prevent service providers bundling search engines with other commercial services.

Analysts said although not mentioned specifically by name, the U.S. tech giant responsible for 90 percent of European Internet searches was the target.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said she will review complaints made by several of the company’s competitors before deciding whether to proceed.

The European Commission has been investigating Google for four years after complaints from competitors including Microsoft and Expedia.

Google is also grappling with privacy issues, requests to scrub search results to comply with a court ruling, copyright concerns and tax controversies in the EU.

Three earlier attempts by Google to settle complaints and stave off a possible fine of up to $5 billion were rejected by the European competition commissioner. Critics say Google has unfairly subordinated rival company services in search results.

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