No Longer the New Kid on the Block, Google Faces EU Scrutiny

Perhaps it is a right of passage for technology companies to be considered too big, too influential or too dominant. If nothing else, it is an indication that a firm has reached a certain status in an industry with incredible amounts development stage risk as well as fierce market competition. However, it is little consolation for companies under scrutiny that they have 'made it,' as scrutiny has, in the past, typically lead to bigger problems for tech firms. The latest to reach this lofty status is Google who, like Microsoft before it, is receiving interest from EU regulators as rival search engines in the Union have alleged that the search giant's algorithms demote their sites.

Google has already received attention from US regulators based on its cozy relationship with book publishers, and it won't be too excited about this latest attention from across the pond. Though one may argue with the actual influence regulators had on Microsoft's monopolistic practices, the company was forced to spend tremendous amounts of time and treasure on litigation and fines. Google will be keen to avoid such costs.

As of right now, the interest by the EU seems to be limited to inquiries. However, with around 90% of the internet search market, Google must be preparing for battle.  Certainly precedent doesn't seem favorable for the giant formerly known as the little search engine who could.