Google: Microsoft bid "unnerving"

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 22 Feb 2008 at 11:37

Microsoft's bid to purchase Yahoo is unnerving, admits Google co-founder, Sergey Brin.

"The internet has evolved from open standards, having a diversity of companies. And when you start to have companies that control the operating system, control the browsers, they really tie up the top websites, and can be used to manipulate stuff in various ways. I think that's unnerving," Brin told The Associated Press.

The move will threaten innovation on the internet, claims Brin, and could possibly fall foul of antitrust laws.

Earlier this month Google suggested that a merger between the companies, which control two of the most popular portals online, would create an uncompetitive monopoly.

Microsoft in turn pointed out that Google enjoys an 85% share of the search market in Europe - significantly less than Microsoft and Yahoo combined.

However, Brin's fear of a monopoly could evaporate if a rumoured deal between Yahoo and Google comes to fruition.