CADE deepens investigation on Google’s practices and welcomes submission of contributions

The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) decided to further the administrative enquiry to investigate the alleged abuse of dominant position practiced by Google in the markets of online search tools and news. 

The case, launched in 2019, investigates the alleged unlawful use of third party’s news content in the Google Search and Google News platforms. The practice could have affected the organic traffic of the websites of media outlets and compromise the sustainability of the sector. 

Commissioner Diogo Thomson invited civil society, including unions, associations, ONGs, scholars, and interested parties to submit technical and factual information that can contribute to the analysis of the case at issue. 

The submissions are voluntary and informative, they do not attribute procedural burden to the contributors, and can include documents, opinions, studies, and analysis.  

CADE prepared specific questionnaires sent to Google and to the representatives of the media outlets, to guide the elaboration of the contributions. The questions address the effects of the algorithm changes and artificial intelligence on the traffic of news outlets’ websites, the payment for news content, and the impact of the integration between search tools and digital advertisement. 

The contributions must be submitted until 28 September on CADE’s website via the Brazilian Electronic Information System (SEI) to be part of the case’s records. 

The initiative aims to deepen the understanding of the potential anticompetitive effects of Google’s practices and support the final decision of the Tribunal of CADE on the case. 

Access Case no. 08700.003498/2019-03.