Open Letter to European Commission: Request for Trilateral Meeting among Google, the EC, and Alternative Search Engines to Improve Search Preference Menu

This is the eighth in our series of posts about search preference menus.

Today we are requesting a trilateral meeting among Google, the European Commission, and alternative search engines to improve the search preference menu displayed to consumers when they activate Android phones in the European Union. We have conducted extensive research on flaws in this preference menu and believe our insights can ensure Google and the European Commission implement an effective remedy to correct Google's anticompetitive conduct as established in the Commission's Android case.

October 27, 2020

RE: Request for Trilateral Meeting among Google, the European Commission, and Alternative Search Engines to Improve Search Preference Menu
(Google Android 40099)

Dear Executive Vice President Vestager,

We are companies operating search engines that compete against Google. As you know, we are deeply dissatisfied with the so-called remedy created by Google to address the adverse effects of its anticompetitive conduct in the Android case. We understand that Google regularly updates you regarding its pay-to-play auction, but it appears that you may not be receiving complete or accurate information.

We are writing to request a trilateral meeting with your office, ourselves, and Google, with the goal of establishing an effective preference menu. Our respective designees could work in advance to create a tight agenda for this meeting to ensure it is productive and collaborative.

We are heartfelt supporters of the Commission's ambition to remediate entrenched Google competition harms. We are asking to put these intentions into practice now, making full use of your existing tools.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

DuckDuckGo
United States

Ecosia
Germany

Lilo
France

Qwant
France

Seznam
Czech Republic

You can download the PDF version of this letter here. (Note: Currently waiting for upload)