India’s antitrust probe into Google moves into next phase

SAN FRANCISCO — A lengthy investigation into whether Google has been abusing its dominance of Internet search to stifle competition in India is moving into its next phase.

The preliminary findings of the three-year-old probe have been submitted to the Competition Commission of India and to Google.

The inquiry revolved around complaints filed by several websites contending that Google has been unfairly highlighting its own services in its influential search results at the expense of its rivals.

The allegations are similar to other accusations of illegal self-promotion in the US, Europe and other parts of the world.

Google has until Sept. 10 to respond to the preliminary findings in India, although that deadline could be extended.

Google says it is confident it will be cleared of wrongdoing in India.

The Mountain View, California, company is already facing allegations in Europe that it rigged its shopping results to thwart rivals. European regulators are still examining whether Google manipulated other types of search results to keep traffic away from sites that could diminish its advertising sales.

Google has denied the allegations in Europe. If it loses the case in Europe, Google could be fined more the $6 billion.

Antitrust regulators in the US wrapped up a probe into Google’s practices in 2013 without requiring that the company make any major changes to how it ranks websites.