Google Federal Trade Commission: Google Not Safe In Europe Just Yet

Google Federal Trade Commission: Yesterday, we brought you a story detailing the FTC’s probe of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG). If you have yet to learn more about the final outcome, here is what FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz had to say:

Although some evidence suggested that Google was trying to eliminate competition, Google’s primary reason for changing the look and feel of its search results to highlight its own products was to improve the user experience.

In other words, the company is more or less off the hook.

Unfortunately for the search engine giant, this means nothing to the European Union.

Here is what Michael Jennings, a spokesman for the European Commission, told Reuters:

We have taken note of the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) decision, but we don’t see that it has any direct implications for our investigation, for our discussions with Google, which are ongoing

Will Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) be able to escape trouble in Europe? Or will the European Commission bring forth harsher penalties than the FTC?

For roughly two years, the European Commission has been investigating Google after competitors complained that the company “tweaked” search results to move its web sites to the top of the rankings.

Despite the fact that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been working closely with European regulators, no deal has been made just yet. If things continue to drag out and a deal is not struck in the near future, the company is facing fines of up to $4 billion.

A couple of weeks ago, we published this story: Google Inc Hopes to Settle with EU Antitrust Commission in 2013.

Now that 2013 is here and the company has finally put the FTC probe on its home soil behind them, it is safe to say they hope to do the same in Europe.

What are your feelings on the decision by the FTC? Did Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)  get off easy? Will regulators in Europe hit the company harder?

Check back here for more updates on Google Federal Trade Commission.

For related news stories, check out these articles:

Google Inc vs. FTC: Google Wins?

Google Inc. to Drop Patent Cases in FTC Deal

Google Inc Hopes to Settle with EU Antitrust Commission in 2013