Google has gotten the support of an unlikely ally in its defense against anti-trust charges by the European Union: EBay. That company’s chief executive, John Donahoe, made comments to the Financial Times that shoot holes through the E.U.’s claims that Google is a monopoly.
Donahoe has pointed out that his company offers strong competition to Google, telling The Financial Times, “Yes . . . We are a strong commerce competitor [of Google’s].”
The publication also cited numerous experts who explained that things have changed since the E.U. first began its investigation of Google and that the anti-trust charges may not hold up.
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But Donahoe may not be entirely altruistic. As the CEO of a major international company he certainly needs to be concerned about the ramifications for EBay should Google lose its case.
The European Union has charged that Google engages in monopolistic practices by shutting out the competition. The company stands accused of falsifying search results to drive users to its own shopping service at the expense of other businesses.
The EU is also investigating whether or not Google’s Android mobile operating system violates its laws. Apparently the more popular Apple iOS which can only be used with that company’s iPhones and iPads and which has many more apps available for it is not considered enough competition by the EU.
The investigation into Android will focus on whether Google has entered into anti-competitive agreements or abused a possible dominant position in the field of operating systems, applications and services for smart mobile devices.
