Google could be forced to open its search engine to greater competition under a crackdown by a UK watchdog.
The tech giant faces having to hand back much of the power it has taken from businesses, including news publishers.
Under proposed changes unveiled yesterday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) wants to give the company 'strategic market status', allowing it to put conditions on the firm.
More than 90 per cent of online inquiries in the UK are made using Google and British businesses spent a total of £10billion advertising with the tech giant last year.
The proposals come after 50 organisations, including consumer group Which?, travel website Skyscanner and tradesmen directory Checkatrade, gave evidence to the CMA earlier this year.
