EU tipped to fine Google over manipulation of search results
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Google can reportedly expect a large fine over its shopping service as the EU brings its seven-year investigation to an end.

The European Commission probe was sparked by a number of complaints from the search giant's US and European rivals, who have both accused Google of distorting internet search results to favour its shopping service at the expense of its competitors and shoppers.

The Commission and Google have declined to comment on the case but the search company has rejected the accusations.

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Companies found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules can be fined up to 10 percent of their global revenue, which could be around $9 billion for Google based in its 2016 results.

As well as the fine, Google will be forced to take measures to ensure that it brings any alleged anti-competitive practices to an end.

The company faced similar accusations in the US but reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

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The FTC had Google agree to stop "scraping" reviews and other data from rival websites for its own products.

However, the Commission has shown no signs of backing down in its fight against Google and has even accused the company of using its Android mobile operating system to block competitors in online search advertising related to its "AdSense for Search" platform.

Reuters

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