Europe is targeting Google under antitrust laws but missing the bigger picture

Google it today and you'll see that the European Commission has turned up the heat in its long-running probe into anti-competitive behaviour by the web's most popular search engine. EC competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, issued formal objections alleging that Google abuses its dominant position in the market of "general internet search". In particular, the EC claims that Google artificially boosts its own products in returning Google comparison shopping results in its service "Google Shopping", even if those products aren't the best or cheapest – the "most relevant", as the Commission puts it – for consumers. Since taking office in November 2014, Vestager has made the Google inquiry a top priority, signalling a willingness to consider court battles and hefty fines if Google and other digital giants don't fall into line with European competition law. In this, she has displayed a distinct shift from her predecessor, Joaquín Almunia, whose multiple attempts to achieve private settlement with Google fell apart a year ago, before descending into a political and economic boxing match.