Google says it will "work constructively" with South Africa's Competition Commission – albeit to "answer their questions", rather than make changes to how it presents search results in South Africa.
The Competition Commission this week released preliminary findings in a massive, long-running inquiry into the state of competition online, covering everything from property sales to food delivery.
Concerned about the ability of small businesses and black companies to compete online, that inquiry gave Google specific design instructions on how it should present search results, and raised the idea of demanding changes to Android smartphones.
In response, Google has stressed that it is good for competition, and faces competition.
"Our products increase choice and expand competition," the company said in a statement. "They level the playing field for small businesses everywhere — enabling them to sell their products, find customers, reduce their costs and, in difficult times, get back on their feet. The competition Google faces is always increasing: there are more ways than ever that people can find information, from specialized sites for travel and shopping, or from other search engines, social media and elsewhere."
It made no mention of a legal challenge if the report is made final in its current form, an option Business Insider South Africa understands other internet players are exploring.
The Commission wants Google to downgrade the position it gives to paid advertising in search results, a line of business worth
more than $13 billion per month globally, or – but most likely, it says, also – better distinguish between ads and organic search by way of design elements such as shading and borders.
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