德國方面要求谷歌公佈搜索算法大綱

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.
柏林方面呼籲谷歌(Google)公佈使其得以壟斷歐洲互聯網搜索市場的詳細祕方，此舉可能會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烈抵制。

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.
在接受英國《金融時報》採訪時，德國司法部長海科•馬斯(Heiko Maas)表示，谷歌必須在用來創建其搜索引擎排名的算法方面變得更爲“透明”。

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.
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《金融時報》，歐洲的企業和國家“應爲侵佔知識產權的呼聲感到擔憂。”

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.
在德國針對谷歌發起新一輪攻勢之際，谷歌及其他美國互聯網企業在歐洲面臨壓力，焦點是它們在網絡市場日益增強的主導地位，以及它們在美國互聯網監控醜聞之後處理個人數據的方法。

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.
歐盟上週採取空前舉措，拒絕了谷歌就一起案件的第三次暫時和解，此案涉及谷歌是否利用其在搜索領域的主導地位推廣在購物、航班和餐廳等領域的內部服務。

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.”
馬斯表示：“最終，這關乎谷歌用來創建搜索結果排名的算法有多透明。當一家搜索引擎對於經濟發展產生如此重大的影響時，我們必須解決這個問題。”

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.
谷歌的算法是“祕方”，使其能夠在搜索領域佔據主導地位。批評者稱，其算法偏向於損害競爭對手，他們希望谷歌公佈這些方法，以盡到義務。谷歌辯稱，這種透明度將把自己的商業祕密奉送給競爭對手。

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.
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作用。該國政府高層人物和商界領袖一直在大力推動，以促使谷歌在歐盟開展業務的方式發生重大改變。

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.
馬斯表示，在歐盟，谷歌的一般性網絡搜索服務佔據逾90%的市場份額，而在美國的市場份額爲68%。

“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.”
“因此，我認爲谷歌對於消費者和市場運營商的影響力特別巨大，”他表示，“我們必須思考要採取哪些預防措施，以保證這種影響力不被濫用。”