Google concern over Yahoo buyout
Google has again expressed fears for the future of the Internet should Microsoft’s proposed takeover of Yahoo go ahead.
Although Microsoft’s $44.6 billion bid was rejected last month, talks are continuing between the two companies with an eventual deal widely expected.
In a statement to reporters, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt reiterated concerns that open exchange of information might be placed under threat by a merger between Microsoft and Yahoo.
“We would be concerned by any kind of acquisition of Yahoo by Microsoft,” he commented, continuing “We would hope that anything they did would be consistent with the openness of the Internet, but I doubt it would be.”
Schmidt also hinted at Microsoft’s previous abuses of its monopoly position in the software market, which have landed the company with unprecedented anti-trust fines.
“Things that it has done that have been so difficult for everyone,” said Schmidt, adding “We are concerned that there are things Microsoft could do that would be bad for the Internet,”
Microsoft currently trail a distant third in the the web search and online advertising markets. A buyout of second placed Yahoo would not only give them a market share much closer to that of Google, it would also deliver a large amount of strategically important user data.
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