The European parliament on Thursday approved a non-binding resolution that calls for the unbundling of search engines from other services that Internet companies offer, a practice that could in theory lead to the break-up of giant Internet companies like Google.
The resolution is a largely symbolic protest vote without immediate impact. But it was approved with a large majority — 384 votes to 174, with 56 abstentions — showing widespread political backing.
EU Digital Economy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger underscored the resolution was "an important expression of opinion" but he added the EU was far from tearing digital multinationals apart.
"I don't think, at the end of the day, that the breaking up as such is what we can expect," Oettinger said. "Rather we are talking about the consistent and correct implementation of EU legislation to ensure that the interests" of EU businesses and consumers are maintained.
EU antitrust authorities are currently investigating Google to see whether it is abusing its position following allegations it is biased in linking search results to its own services, a usatoday.com report.
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