German Competition Authority determines Google as subject to new abuse control rules
The German Competition Authority (Bundeskartellamt) has established that Alphabet/Google fulfils the criteria of ‘paramount significance across markets’ under the German Competition law.
This determination was based on the dominant position of Google on the German market, by having 80% market share in both search and advertising sectors, has significant influence over other companies access to its users and advertising customers, and can set rules and conditions for other businesses across markets. The determination is valid for 5 years.
As a result, Google will be under enhanced scrutiny of the Bundeskartellamt, which seeks to limit the anticompetitive effects of large digital companies in the digital economy.
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