European lawmakers back Google break-up

http://news.yahoo.com/eu-parliament-votes-break-google-002739007.html;_ylt=AwrSyCPf7nlUZmoAKM7QtDMD

Brussels (AFP) - The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly for the break-up of Google on Thursday in a largely symbolic vote that nevertheless cast another blow in the four-year standoff between Brussels and the US Internet giant.
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In a direct challenge to Google, MEPs assembled in Strasbourg approved a resolution calling on the EU to consider ordering search engines to separate their commercial services from their businesses.

While Google is not directly mentioned in the proposal, the California-based search engine is clearly the target. The resolution passed with 384 in favour and only 174 votes against.

The European Parliament has no power to launch the break-up of Google, but the move, introduced by two senior lawmakers, is a further indication that the mood towards the company in Europe has soured.

Contacted by AFP, a spokesman for Google in Brussels said the company had no comment to make.

Google has become a lightning rod for critics in Europe on a broad range of issues from privacy to the protection of national publishers.

I hadn't heard this anywhere