UK regulator sets out new rules on Google Search to boost competition


FILE PHOTO: The Google logo is pictured at the entrance to the Google offices in London, Britain January 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - ⁠Britain's competition watchdog ordered Google to provide ⁠greater transparency on how its search rankings ‌work, part of new requirements aimed at securing "a fairer deal" for businesses and improving the U.S. tech giant's services in ​the country.

The first requires Google ⁠to improve transparency and ⁠fairness in how search results are ranked, while ⁠the second ‌requires Google to allow users to move their search data to authorised ⁠third parties, the Competition and Markets Authority ​said in ‌a statement on Wednesday.

The regulator has flagged concerns ⁠about Google's ​dominance in search, designating the company with "strategic market status", which allows it to set targeted rules to ⁠increase transparency.

"These new measures will ​ensure search results are ranked fairly and objectively, with clearer information about changes and effective routes to ⁠raise concerns," Will Hayter, the CMA's Executive Director for Digital Markets, said in the statement.

It builds on existing conduct requirements for Google announced by ​the regulator earlier this month ⁠which enable publishers to stop their content being ​used to power the company's ‌AI features.

On Wednesday, the CMA ​said "more activity is expected over the summer".

(Reporting by Muvija M; editing by Sarah Young)

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