No tech company should have the kind of monopoly power that Google has in search engines or online advertising. The EU Commission has already determined that Google has abused its power. It is now important to follow up this assessment with effective measures. A permanent solution can only mean: Break up Google!
As a competition authority, the EU Commission can use the instrument of structural separation to take effective action against Google’s monopoly power. Google should be forced to sell off parts of its group in order to permanently reduce its monopoly power!
A joint campaign by LobbyControl and Rebalance Now.
Why is this important?
There is hardly any way around Google on the Internet. In addition to Google Search, Google Maps and the Chrome browser, it also includes YouTube, Android and hugely profitable advertising platforms. Most media also market their advertisements via these platforms. Google’s monopoly dominates the digital world to such an extent that it is damaging diversity on the internet – and therefore also democracy.
Google charges advertisers excessive prices and squeezes the revenues of media and publishers. This weakens journalism and therefore democracy. Ultimately, we all pay for Google’s monopoly.
Like the USA, the EU is now also considering tackling this previously unresolved problem: Google is to be forced to spin off and sell off parts of its advertising business. This could break Google’s monopoly power – and effectively curb the company’s power!
The EU Commission has already established that Google is exploiting its market power in the placement of online advertising. In June 2023, it proposed a divestment of parts of the advertising business as a solution. A final decision is still pending. With our campaign, we are putting pressure on the EU Commission to finally conclude the proceedings and order a divestment, despite pressure from the tech companies.
