德國要求谷歌公布搜索算法
柏林方面呼吁谷歌(Google)公布使其得以壟斷歐洲互聯(lián)網(wǎng)搜索市場的詳細(xì)秘方,,此舉可能會(huì)受到谷歌競爭對手的歡迎,,但將遭到這家美國科技公司的強(qiáng)烈抵制,。在接受英國《金融時(shí)報(bào)》采訪時(shí),,德國司法部長海科•馬斯(Heiko Maas)表示,,谷歌必須在用來創(chuàng)建其搜索引擎排名的算法方面變得更為“透明”,。
但曾任美國駐德國大使的羅伯特•金米特(Robert Kimmitt)毫不留情地批評了馬斯的言論。他告訴英國《金融時(shí)報(bào)》,,歐洲的企業(yè)和國家“應(yīng)為侵占知識(shí)產(chǎn)權(quán)的呼聲感到擔(dān)憂,。”
在德國針對谷歌發(fā)起新一輪攻勢之際,谷歌及其他美國互聯(lián)網(wǎng)企業(yè)在歐洲面臨壓力,,焦點(diǎn)是它們在網(wǎng)絡(luò)市場日益增強(qiáng)的主導(dǎo)地位,,以及它們在美國互聯(lián)網(wǎng)監(jiān)控丑聞之后處理個(gè)人數(shù)據(jù)的方法。
歐盟上周采取空前舉措,,拒絕了谷歌就一起案件的第三次暫時(shí)和解,,此案涉及谷歌是否利用其在搜索領(lǐng)域的主導(dǎo)地位推廣在購物、航班和餐廳等領(lǐng)域的內(nèi)部服務(wù),。
馬斯表示:“最終,,這關(guān)乎谷歌用來創(chuàng)建搜索結(jié)果排名的算法有多透明。當(dāng)一家搜索引擎對于經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展產(chǎn)生如此重大的影響時(shí),,我們必須解決這個(gè)問題,。”
谷歌的算法是“秘方”,使其能夠在搜索領(lǐng)域占據(jù)主導(dǎo)地位,。批評者稱,,其算法偏向于損害競爭對手,他們希望谷歌公布這些方法,,以盡到義務(wù),。谷歌辯稱,這種透明度將把自己的商業(yè)秘密奉送給競爭對手,。
在歐洲努力限制谷歌巨大的市場影響力方面,,德國起到了積極的推動(dòng)作用。該國政府高層人物和商界領(lǐng)袖一直在大力推動(dòng),,以促使谷歌在歐盟開展業(yè)務(wù)的方式發(fā)生重大改變,。
馬斯表示,,在歐盟,谷歌的一般性網(wǎng)絡(luò)搜索服務(wù)占據(jù)逾90%的市場份額,,而在美國的市場份額為68%,。
“因此,我認(rèn)為谷歌對于消費(fèi)者和市場運(yùn)營商的影響力特別巨大,,”他表示,“我們必須思考要采取哪些預(yù)防措施,,以保證這種影響力不被濫用,。”
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Berlin is calling on Google to disclose details of the secret formula that has allowed it to monopolise web search in Europe, in a move that is likely to be welcomed by competitors and fiercely resisted by the US tech company.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Germany’s justice minister Heiko Maas said Google had to become more “transparent” about the algorithm used to create search engine rankings.
But Robert Kimmitt, a former US ambassador to Germany, was highly critical of his comments. European companies and countries “should be concerned about calls for appropriation of intellectual property”, he told the FT.
The new offensive comes with Google and other US internet companies facing pressure across Europe over their growing dominance of online markets and handling of personal data in the wake of the US internet surveillance scandal.
Brussels took the unprecedented step last week of rejecting Google’s third tentative peace settlement of a case over whether the company exploits its dominant position in search to promote in-house services in areas including shopping, flights and restaurants.
Mr Maas said: “In the end it relates to how transparent the algorithms are that Google uses to rank its search results. When a search engine has such an impact on economic development, this is an issue we have to address.”
Google’s algorithm is the “secret sauce recipe” that has enabled it to dominate search. Critics say its formulas are skewed to hurt rivals and want them published to ensure accountability. Google argues that such transparency would hand rivals its business secrets.
Germany has been instrumental in European efforts to constrain Google’s overwhelming market power. Senior government figures and business leaders have pushed hard for major changes in the way Google conducts its business in the EU.
Mr Maas said Google’s general web search service has a market share of more than 90 per cent in the EU, compared with 68 per cent in the US.
“I therefore believe that Google’s power over consumers and market operators is extraordinary,” he said. “We have to think about what precautions are in place so that this power is not abused.”
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