MEPs to vote on plans to separate internet search engines from commercial activities

A non-binding resolution calling for EU legislation to separate internet search engines from commercial services was debated by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the 26 November 2014 and voted on the 27 November 2014. The aim was to level the playing field for online businesses and secure long-term benefits for internet users.

The resolution stressed that all internet traffic should be treated equally without discrimination and that the search process and results should be unbiased. It also touched 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.

A joint letter from two US government committees said that the way the EU was targeting US technology companies raised questions about its commitment to open markets (see the related url below from the Blog: Place Lux).

Government Ministers from France and Germany signalled on the 27 November 2014 that they supported the objectives of the European Parliament Resolution.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 27.11.14: EU parliament votes for break-up of Google http://dw.de/p/1Dub5

Deutsche Welle, 27.11.14: EU Parliament aims to send a political message to Google http://dw.de/p/1DuKg

The Guardian, 26.11.14: Does Europe have the power to break up Google? http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/26/does-europe-have-the-power-to-break-up-google

EUObserver, 27.11.14: MEP vote ups pressure on EU to break up Google http://euobserver.com/economic/126692

BBC News, 27.11.14: European Parliament to vote on Google break-up http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30208001

ESO: Background information: Oettinger floats proposal for EU-wide 'Google-tax' http://www.europeansources.info/record/oettinger-floats-proposal-for-eu-wide-google-tax/

ESO: Background information: EU changes tack on Google, threatens record fine http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-changes-tack-on-google-threatens-record-fine/

ESO: Key Source: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) http://www.europeansources.info/record/transatlantic-trade-and-investment-partnership-ttip/

BBC News, 27.11.14: Google should be broken up, say European MPs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30228279

European Parliament: Press Release, 27.11.14: MEPs zero in on internet search companies and clouds http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20141125IPR80501/

Deutsche Welle, 27.11.14: [Opinion]: EU off track in knocking Google http://dw.de/p/1DvXu

EurActiv, 28.11.14: France, Germany back MEPs against Google http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/france-germany-back-meps-against-google-310415

The New York Times, 27.11.14: E.U. Parliament Passes Measure to Break Up Google in Symbolic Vote http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/business/international/google-european-union.html

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 28.11.14: EU Parliament takes Google to task http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER154478-EU-Parliament-takes-Google-to-task

The Conversation, 30.11.14: The EU’s obsession with Google shows how little it understands the digital economy https://theconversation.com/the-eus-obsession-with-google-shows-how-little-it-understands-the-digital-economy-34844

Euronews, 27.11.14: EU recommends ‘unbundling Google’ http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/27/eu-recommends-unbundling-google/

Blog: Place Lux, 27.11.14: For Google, political backing is only a campaign cheque away http://placelux.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/for-google-political-backing-is-only-a-campaign-cheque-away/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 05.12.14: MEPs Schwab and Tremosa on separating internet search engines from commercial activities http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20141130STO81503/

The Conversation, 11.12.14: Google and Europe come to blows, but will they break up? https://theconversation.com/google-and-europe-come-to-blows-but-will-they-break-up-34989

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