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Most certainly not the only reason why and possibly not even the most important, but the EU has started to load up on the anti monopoly against Google recently,
by nolok 11y ago
Most certainly not the only reason why and possibly not even the most important, but the EU has started to load up on the anti monopoly against Google recently, with talks about breaking it up in Europe (similar to the Microsoft case in the US some years ago, although it didn't go through and in this case it would only split in EU).
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/27/european-parliament-votes-yes-google-breakup-motion http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/27/european-p...
> The European parliament has approved a motion calling for tougher regulation of internet search, including suggesting breaking up Google as a solution to its dominance in Europe.
That certainly wasn't a done deal nor even agreed that's what the commission would really aim for, but the heat was mounting and Google's move cut them short just in case.
- oneJob 11y agoIf you compare GE to Google, or Samsung to Google, then Google doesn't seem to have an absurdly diversified portfolio. But GE doesn't have a back-end that can facilitate easily realizing marketplace advantages in jet engines based on what they've done in light bulbs. Google can do exactly this. And the EU has taken notice. It would make sense that this is the primary underlying issue, even if the move is primarily proactive.
- oneJob 11y agothe level of constructive criticism here just blows me away. my god what an amazing community
- return0 11y agoBut isnt this consolidation instead of separation? Or are they creating this entity so that they will keep Google intact even if they are ordered to separate?
- adventured 11y agoThis makes it easier to spin off a Google EU corporation, owned by Alphabet, built specifically to manage the intricacies of EU law. Google EU would just be another subsidiary, that perhaps licenses its technology from Alphabet or Google US.