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Google addresses antitrust concerns in letter to EU commission

Google addresses antitrust concerns in letter to EU commission

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Google Chairman Eric Schmidt today acknowledged the EU's latest antitrust concerns regarding the search giant in a letter to the European Commission.

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Eric Schmidt (1000)
Eric Schmidt (1000)

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt today acknowledged and addressed the EU's latest antitrust concerns regarding the search giant in a letter to the European Commission. Unfortunately the contents of that note have yet to be made public, though a Google statement to AllThingsD confirms the company is working "cooperatively" with the inquiry. Joaquín Almunia, EC Vice President for Competition Policy, established an amicable tone when he revealed the Commission's preliminary investigation findings back in May, saying he hoped to settle matters without engaging in "adversarial proceedings." An 18-month examination of Google's business practices has given rise to concerns over preferential treatment of its own services, indexing results from competing search providers, and advertising policies. It remains to be seen exactly what Schmidt had to say on the subject (or if his answers will satisfy EU officials), but Google's cooperation suggests the company may not be all that eager to wage an antitrust battle with European regulators.