Google resolute in face of EU ultimatum

Google hit back at an European Union ultimatum for it to stop its allegedly anti-competitive business practices, with a firm denial of wrongdoing that will dent the European Commission’s hopes of a quick settlement.

Giving his first response to the commission’s demands, Eric Schmidt, the US group’s executive chairman, made clear his reluctance to bow to imprecise allegations that his company is abusing its dominance. “We disagree that we are in violation, until they are more precise on what area of the law we are in violation of. Give us the precise data, the precise problem,” Schmidt told the audience at Google’s Big Tent conference near London. Schmidt’s comments underline how difficult the pre-charge settlement talks will be, but do not entirely close the door to a deal. The Commission will in coming days give Google a more detailed oral briefing on its competition concerns. These relate to Google favoring its own products in search results, copying information without permission and shutting out rivals in the advertising market.