US authorities investigate Google’s dominant position in the search market

An investigation has been launched in the United States into the market position of Google in the field of search engines. It is being looked into whether Google has violated antitrust rules, and may therefore have to offer more space for alternative search engines.

That an investigation has been launched, according to reports from Bloomberg news agency. An interview with DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg shows that he has been questioned by the American authorities about Google’s market position. He was also asked for his opinion about offering alternative search engines in a selection screen on Android and the Chrome web browser. DuckDuckGo is a competitor of Google, and tries to distinguish itself in the field of privacy.

The questions posed to Weinberg point to the direction in which the US authorities are thinking in terms of measures to limit Google’s dominant market position. Because the authorities themselves have not responded, it is unclear at what stage the investigation is exactly, and whether concrete considerations are being given to imposing measures, such as offering choice screens. There doesn’t appear to be any charges yet.

Previously, Google was fined billions in the EU for abusing its dominant market position in the field of search engines. The company was also obliged to offer a choice screen in Android for the search provider. According to the EU, Google would favor its own apps and hinder competing services.