EU extends Google antitrust investigation response deadline

Google now has until August 31 to answer charges that it is unfairly manipulating search results to benefit its own services

The European Commission has extended the deadline for Google to respond to requests for information as part of an EU antitrust investigation into the world's most-used search engine.

The European Union is investigating claims that Google is manipulating queries made in its search engine to produce results that favour other Google services including its own shopping comparison service.

Google now has until August 31 to answer the charges made against it. It's the second time that Google has had the deadline for responding to the claims made against it extended, with the web firm's initial deadline of July 7 previously moved back to August 17.

"In line with normal practice, the Commission analysed the reasons for the request. As a result, it has granted an extension allowing Google to fully exercise its rights of defence," said European Commission spokesman Ricardo Cardoso.

The European Union filed the antitrust complaint against Google in April. The accusation that Google is distorting web search results to favour its own shopping service comes following a five-year investigation into the web firm and its practices.

The Commission is concerned that users do not necessarily see the most relevant results in response to queries, something which is to the detriment of consumers, and stifles innovation, the European body claims.

Google has rejected the accusation that it manipulates search results to favour its own services. However, if the EU finds that Google has abused its position, the company could be faced with a fine of billions of euros and required to change its business practices.

Earlier this week, Google restructured itself, putting much of the company under the umbrella of a new holding company called Alphabet. The EU has already stated that the restructuring will not impact on the antitrust investigations.