Strong European Parliament vote for 'break-up' of Google

Strasbourg

THE European Parliament voted overwhelmingly for the break-up of Google on Thursday in a largely symbolic vote that nevertheless cast another blow in the four-year standoff between Brussels and the US Internet giant.

In a direct challenge to Google, Members of the European Parliament or MEPs assembled in Strasbourg approved a resolution calling on the European Union (EU) to consider ordering search engines to separate their commercial services from their businesses.

While Google is not directly mentioned in the proposal, the California-based search engine is clearly the target. The resolution passed with 384 in favour and on…