Brussels, 24/08/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is reported to have sent questionnaires to the plaintiffs in the Google case, with regard to its concerns over a number of practices of the American giant, such as copying the web content of its competitors, the exclusivity laid down in its agreements with advertising partners and undue restrictions on the ability of its advertisers to use rival platforms, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), stated on 21 August.
In April of this year, when it announced its decision to send a statement of objections to Google regarding Google Shopping, the price comparison website of the American giant, the Commission stated that it was not dropping its other concerns, which would be the subject of these latest questionnaires (see EUROPE 11295). The fact that it is stepping up its investigations in these areas is not a good sign for Google, notes the WSJ.
The Commission has once again extended the period during which Google may defend its case, this time until 31 August. In April of this year, the Commission also announced that it had opened formal investigation procedures into Google's conduct regarding its operating system for mobile devices, Android. (Elodie Lamer)