Google given special status by watchdog that could force it to change UK search

CMA puts Google under tighter regulation with ‘strategic market status’ designation and can enforce changes

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Google faces enforced changes to its UK search business after the competition watchdog conferred a special status on the company that puts it under tighter regulation.

The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) confirmed that Google has “strategic market status” (SMS) in search and search advertising, a term that means the company has such market power that it requires a special regulatory regime.