Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, finds itself navigating turbulent regulatory waters following a landmark decision by British authorities. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally designated Google’s search and search advertising services with “strategic market status,” marking the first time the regulator has exercised this power. This development comes as the tech giant simultaneously pushes forward with ambitious artificial intelligence initiatives targeting the enterprise sector.
After conducting a thorough ten-month investigation, the CMA concluded that Google maintains “substantial and entrenched market power” in the UK search market. The regulator’s determination stems from Google’s overwhelming market share, with more than 90% of all search queries in the United Kingdom being processed through the company’s platform.
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