Getty Images Vs. Google: Competition complaint filed; Tech giant accused of site traffic monopoly

Popular US photo agency, Getty Images, filed a competition complaint against search giant Google due to the latter's changes in its photo search function that allegedly keeps traffic away from the photo agency's website. The complaint is the latest among other suits filed against Google.

Getty Images has filed a complaint with the European Commission stating that Google has been interfering with their business. According to BBC, Getty Images claims that the changes in the image search function in 2013 which includes the publication of large photo files make it easier for the searcher to grab the picture from the Google search page instead of going to the main Getty Images website.

"These changes have allowed Google to reinforce its role as the internet's dominant search engine, maintaining monopoly over site traffic, engagement data and advertising spend,"  the photo agency stated in their press release. They also said that such function limits the traffic of their website, and makes and accidental pirate out of the searcher.

As reported by Indian Express, Getty Images said  that the complaint is not their first attempt at addressing the issue as they previously reached out to Google about it. However, their proposed solution simply does not work for the photo agency.

"Google's proposed solution was no solution at all: accept its presentation of images in high-res format or opt out of image search. This would mean allowing the harm to continue, or becoming invisible on the Internet," Getty Images stated.

The rift with Getty Images is also not the first time Google received a complaint. According to Ars Technica, European commissioner for competition,  Margrethe Vestager issued a second charge sheet against the company for its Android smartphone operating software.

Getty Images is currently one of the biggest photo agency supporting more than 200,000 photographers and content creators around the world. Google has not released their official statement about the complaint. 

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