Data show Google abuses search role, group contends

Consumer Watchdog continues to push its case that Google's behavior necessitates antitrust scrutiny, releasing a report Wednesday that alleges that the company is abusing its dominance in online search to direct users to its own services.

The study, which will be sent to U.S. and European antitrust regulators, cites online traffic data that the Santa Monica group claims shows the Mountain View Internet giant seized large portions of market share in areas like online maps, video and comparison shopping after its search engine began highlighting links to its products in results. Google called the report's methodology and premise flawed and said its practices are designed to benefit users.