[jariel]

Algorithms are not censorship - and - there isn't effective competition in search.

I support Angela Merkel's view that these entities can't take decisions to censor information entirely upon their own volition.

As the OP pointed out, we need a better way.

[silexia]

A mere 20 years ago Google did not exist at all. Within 5 years of its start it was extremely popular. Things happen even faster online now. If a search engine that was much better than Google came out, Google would be dropped by almost everyone within a year.

If you give the government the power to decide who a private business has to allow in, that's a power you will probably never get back. And the government is far more likely to use it in nefarious ways than a private corporation can.

[jariel]

"If there were a better product it would win" is really a little naive, it's like saying "if a startup just built a new Jumbo Jet, the would win that Trillion dollar market".

Many industries have huge natural barriers - and more importantly - systematic barriers built by incumbents. Android, Chrome are 'moats' that are used to ensure Google wins. No other search engine could develop enough momentum to build the quality necessary while up against those moats and natural barriers.

"If you give the government the power to decide who a private business has to allow in, that's a power you will probably never get back. "

Right now, you have absolutely zero power over how Google implements their policies, ergo, nor you nor I have any power to 'give away'. While I don't always entirely trust how government intervenes and there are risks, I trust them more than I do large corporations.

Your arguments don't work because they are so general that they also work against every other government regulation. No FTC? No FDA? No FCC and 'Net Neutrality'? No Privacy Laws? No worker regulations?

These basic arguments about gov vs. private practice generally become moot in the face of nuanced reality.

Part of the role of government is to help ensure a competitive landscape, to enforce anti-trust and to regulate where necessary. That's why they exist.