Ms Vestager sends out first questionnaires to “Google rivals”

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said at a press conference in Brussels that she is “seeking fresh information from online map and travel companies about competition in the market,” as she moves forward with her antitrust investigation of Google, according to the Wall Street Journal. “We have sent questionnaires to a number of people in a number of areas—maps, traveling, a couple of other areas—in order to get more fresh information… I found there was a need to update the information in the case,” the antitrust regulator said. “Asked whether the EU would file formal charges against Google over its search practices in Europe, where the company’s market share exceeds 90%, Ms. Vestager was noncommittal,” the article explained. “I have no intentions yet,” Vestager said. In addition, she said that she will meet with complainants in the case in the next few weeks “to have a first idea of how they see the case.” (Wall Street Journal; EU Seeks More Data for Google Probe) For similar coverage, see Reuters – EU’s Vestager to meet Google complainants in coming weeks, MLex – “‘Fresh’ information needed in Google antitrust probe, Vestager says” or MLex – “EU questionnaires on Google seek data on traffic, ad spending.”