Google urges government to avoid regulation of internet platforms

Google has urged the government to ensure that any changes to the Communications Act do not impinge on the openness and growth of content delivery platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.

The firm's head of UK public policy, Sarah Hunter, said on Wednesday that such platforms must not be stifled with legislation.

"The green paper for the Communications Act should look to build a successful and thriving communications industry, but it must not take platforms like YouTube, Flickr and Facebook for granted," she said at a Westminster eForum event.

"Platforms need to remain open so we can continue to run them in the way we do, and [the government] needs to keep the legal framework that the E-Commerce Directive put in place."

This aspect of the directive ensures that firms like Google, which provide access to content, cannot be made to block or regulate what is delivered to consumers.

Hunter added that Google is worried that data protection regulations being mooted in Europe could undermine the advertising industry from which the bulk of its revenue is derived.

"Running a site like YouTube is expensive and difficult. The only way to make money is with targeted advertising which allows firms to understand what people like and change [the advertising displayed] accordingly," she said.

"It's incredibly important we have sensible data protection laws that allow consumers to upload data, but the direction of travel from European Union neighbours is not as sensible as the business sector would want it to be."

Hunter also said that companies looking at moving into the digital market need to make sure they understand the importance of hiring more staff skilled in the technology running the platforms on which content is delivered.

"If you want the broadcasting industry to grow in the digital age you need scientists at senior levels of your company. Computer scientists are taking over the world, so hire more of them," she added.