Google beats Korea’s biggest portals

Fair Trade Commission judged unfounded over the allegations against Google raised by NHN and Daum, two major Internet portals in Korea. All eyes are on the commission’s decision which came out in the middle of the commission’s investigation into unfair practices by portals.

The commission announced Thursday, “We came to the conclusion that the allegations that Google committed unfair practices in the mobile search market were unfounded. The result was notified to NHN and Daum.” The two online portals filed against Google with the commission in April 2011 over allegations that Google forced smartphone users run on Android to use their search engine exclusively by embedding Google’s search engine in Android, Google’s operation system.

After two years of investigation, however, the commission sided with Google, saying, “Even after Google’s embedding its search engine in smartphones, Naver (NHN’s search engine) still maintained its dominant market share over 70 percent. Therefore, it is not likely that what Google did hinder the operation of Naver or Daum, or exerted any effect to the market share.”

“Though Google is embedded in smartphones, consumers can install search apps of Naver or Daum. Therefore, the allegation that Google hindered operation of other companies cannot be seen valid,” added the commission.

On the decision, NHN and Daum said, “Though we have some doubt on the decision, we are not considering appealing.”