The European Parliament is preparing to vote on a proposal to split up Google, separating its search business from its other commercial interests.
The latest move comes in the midst of escalating pressure on the EU to control Google’s market dominance.
A statement from the EU Parliament noted: "The aim is to level the playing field for online businesses and secure long-term benefits for internet users."
"The resolution stresses that all internet traffic should be treated equally without discrimination and that the search process and results should be unbiased."
"It also touches upon the need for ‘long overdue copyright reform’, proper implementation of the European cloud computing strategy and calls on member states to allocate resources to fight against cybercrime."
In response to the EU’s move, a joint letter from two US government committees raised concerns regarding the approach the EU is taking in targeting US tech firms.
"This and similar proposals build walls rather than bridges [and] do not appear to give full consideration to the negative effect such policies may have on the broader US-EU trade relationship," wrote senators Ron Wyden and Orrin Hatch and congressmen DaveCamo and Sander Levin.
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Since 2010, Google has been under scrutiny by the European Commission over claims of abusing its dominant position in online search to its benefit by manipulating search results for its own services and products.
