Google may have to make changes to UK search engine, says watchdog
The tech giant is the first company being targeted by the regulator under a new set of digital market laws.
Google accounts for more than 90% of searches in the UK, while it is also used by more than 200,000 UK businesses to reach customers.
CMA takes first steps to improve competition in search services in the UK.
We've proposed to designate Google with strategic market status under the new Digital Markets Competition Regime.https://t.co/hla7I5b56K
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) June 24, 2025
Google said it would work 'constructively' with the CMA but highlighted that its plans presented 'challenges' to the business.
The CMA, which launched its investigation into Google in January, said it is minded to give the tech firm 'strategic market status', which would require it to abide by a number of rules over its conduct.
It could be forced to introduce new 'fair ranking' measures for its search results as well as giving further support to publishers on its platform, as a result.
A final decision is set to be made by October following a consultation process.
Oliver Bethell, senior director of competition at Google, said: 'The CMA has today reiterated that 'strategic market status' does not imply that anti-competitive behaviour has taken place — yet this announcement presents clear challenges to critical areas of our business in the UK.
'We're concerned that the scope of the CMA's considerations remains broad and unfocused, with a range of interventions being considered before any evidence has been provided.
'The UK has historically benefited from early access to our latest innovations, but punitive regulations could change that.
'Proportionate, evidence-based regulation will be essential to preventing the CMA's roadmap from becoming a roadblock to growth in the UK.'
Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: 'Google search has delivered tremendous benefits – but our investigation so far suggests there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative.
'Today marks an important milestone in our implementation of the new Digital Markets Competition Regime in the UK.
'Alongside our proposed designation of Google's search activities, we have set out a roadmap of possible future action to improve outcomes for people and businesses in the UK.
'These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services – as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Homeowners paint VERY blunt message on the roof of their house for anyone looking at their property on Google Maps
A disgruntled homeowner has left a rude message on the roof of their property for anyone peeping on Google Maps. Huge black letters spelling 'F**K YOU' were painted on the home in Mississippi, US. The outrageous move has left curious theorists believing that the explicit message is intended for Google Maps. With the property blurred from Street View, some Redditors speculated it was to do with the person wanting to keep their privacy. 'I imagine they had Google blur their house on Street View (ya know, for privacy) but Google wouldn't do it for Satellite View, so this was the homeowner's response,' one user wrote. 'They've had their property image blurred from Street View as well... hah!' someone added. 'Do you think they realise this only draws more attention to them and not less?' another said. Home-owners can ask Google Maps to blur their 'entire house, car or body' by submitting the request with the 'Report a problem' tool. This image will then be blurred on Street View over privacy concerns. However, they will not edit the satellite view. Google has been contacted for comment but they had previously confirmed 'Google does not itself blur satellite imagery'. They said: 'Google Earth is built from a broad range of imagery providers, including public, government, commercial and private sector sources – some of which may blur images before they supply it to us. 'Such imagery is commercially available on the market (including to other map services) from third party providers. Any inquiries should be directed to that provider. A Reddit user added that the roof has since been updated to 'EAT S**T', although this is not reflected in the satellite imagery. Last year, another property similarly wrote a blunt message on their roof to stave off nosy neighbours. A homeowner daubed 'Watch p*rn, not me' across the roof of their property, but the stunt backfired as tens of thousands flocked to view it on social media. The gorgeous waterside property is located in Lake County, north-eastern Illinois, which boasts natural terrain ranging from sand dunes to prairie. An image of the property was shared by a Facebook user posted a snap of the crude graffiti on to a dedicated group chat with fellow satellite imagery fanatics. As a result, the rude message, painted in white block capitals to starkly contrast the homeowner's black roof, can now be found on Google Images, with the entire world able to see. A Facebook post highlighting the incident has received over 120,000 interactions, with many taking to the social media platform to air their thoughts on the irony. One claimed 'the entire world' is now watching their rural property, and another, appearing to be a Google Maps enthusiast added: 'Near Chicago. Soon it should be a law to have a quote on your roof.' Another commented: 'This poor guy or whoever is probably seeing this and thinking 'well sh*t, that didn't work out.' Another user remarked: 'And then suddenly, the entire world was watching THEM.'
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Popular restaurant chain to close city centre location for good – months after closing three other sites
The restaurant and bar has been in the city for more than 10 years KITCHEN CLOSED Popular restaurant chain to close city centre location for good – months after closing three other sites Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR restaurant chain has closed one of its city centre locations for good just months after closing three other sites. The Botanist in Birmingham city centre has permanently closed with bosses saying it was a "difficult decision" to take. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Botanist in Birmingham City Centre has closed its doors for the last time Credit: Google Street View 2 The restaurant and bar has been in the city for more than 10 years Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk It comes after the New World Trading Company (NWTC), who are responsible for the chain, closed sites in Coventry, Sheffield and Chester earlier this year. Diners have enjoyed a decade of cocktails, Sunday roasts and trademark hanging kebabs at the restaurant on Temple Street since April 2015. And customers have taken to social media in confusion after its sudden closure. One perplexed user said: "The Botanist in Birmingham (Temple Row) has just closed. "I had a booking and they just cancelled as they are permanently closing." The restaurant has disabled its social media profiles and is now listed as permanently closed on Google. It had earned a respectable 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google reviews from nearly 3,700 customers. One happy customer shared just two weeks ago: "This is my type of restaurant/bar. "I love the sophistication, dedication, decor, vibrancy, atmosphere and everything about this restaurant!" A spokesperson for New World Trading Company said: 'We have made the difficult decision to close our Birmingham, Temple Street site. "This decision has not been taken lightly, but we believe is in the best interests for the overall health of the business. 'We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their support and custom over the years and we hope to welcome them to our other Birmingham site located at Gas Street Basin, soon.' The company also added that the closure only affects their Temple Street site. It comes as the NWTC closed sites in Coventry, Sheffield and Chester in January. And that followed the shuttering of three other sites in October 2024. The company has been undergoing a restructure after encountering difficulties and confirmed the bars were not profitable. In October 2024 New World Trading Centre agreed a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), when it said it would refocus on its Botanist brand. Famous fast-food chain dubbed 'Britain's rudest restaurant' to close final UK branch and teases future plans A CVA is a restructuring measure that lets businesses continue to trade whilst also closing stores and pushing through rent cuts. The chain had experienced financial difficulties following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. As well as closing sites the group has rebranded others and opened a new Botanist site in Bournemouth in May. It currently operates 24 sites under the Botanist brand and also operates other brands including the Oast House, and the Trading House. A swathe of other restaurants are also shutting this month including a huge Asian chain and beloved fine-dining spot. It comes as the restaurant industry struggles amid high energy prices, wholesale costs and tax hikes.
Glasgow Times
17 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
'Lovely' Giffnock restaurant suddenly closes after two years
Maples Giffnock on Fenwick Drive in the East Renfrewshire town has shut its doors. A notice on the eatery's website reads: "Maples is now closed. "Thank you for your custom, it has been a pleasure to serve Giffnock. Thank you to all of our customers for your custom since we opened in 2023." 'Lovely' Giffnock restaurant suddenly closes after two years (Image: Google) READ MORE: Popular Glasgow bar & nightclub announces closure after a decade READ MORE: Glasgow cafe in busy area announces its shock closure after a few years Meanwhile, the venue has also been marked as 'permanently closed' on Google. READ MORE: Much-loved Glasgow cafe announces shock closure after eight years (Image: Google) Following the closure, gutted locals have taken to Facebook to share their sadness about the news. One said: "Very sorry to hear that it has closed. I have been intending to go in for ages." A second cried: "Shame it's closed as the food was so nice and the staff were lovely." Meanwhile, another person added: "Aww, this is such a shame. It was a great place for brunch. The food was delicious and the staff were so friendly."
