EBay supports Google over Brussels antitrust probe

EBay Inc Chief Executive John Donahoe has supported arguments made by Google Inc in its defense in an antitrust case, saying the two companies are direct competitors in online shopping, the Financial Times reported. Barriers between different areas of online commerce are breaking down, Donahoe said in an interview with FT, highlighting the challenges the European Commission faces in bringing the high-profile case.

We see that Google has engaged in misconduct in a broad number of member states since 2008 and continues to do so. The commercial importance of appearing prominently in Google search results is obvious. If you can’t be found, you can’t do business.”

Margrethe Vestager, EU competition commissioner

The European Union accused Google of cheating consumers and competitors by distorting Web search results to favor its own shopping service, after a five-year investigation that could change the rules for business online. Google said in a blog post that it strongly disagreed with the EU’s statement of objections and would make the case that its products have fostered competition and benefited consumers.

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