
In response to mounting criticism and concerns regarding alterations to its core services mandated by landmark EU tech regulations, Alphabet’s Google is poised to defend its position. The tech giant’s stance will be articulated by Oliver Bethell, a prominent figure leading Google’s EMEA competition team, during a workshop organized by the European Commission.
Bethell’s discourse, as per a document reviewed by Reuters, underscores the intricate trade-offs necessitated by Google to strike a balance between various interests amidst the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DMA, which came into effect on March 7, enforces significant changes, including granting users the authority to remove Google pre-installed software or apps and requiring explicit user consent for data utilization across Google’s array of services or for personalized advertising. Moreover, Google is now prohibited from exhibiting favoritism towards its own services or products over competitors on its platform.
Read more: US Tech Giants Accept European Union’s ‘Gatekeeper’ Classification
Designed to curb the dominance of Big Tech firms, promote fair competition for smaller players, and augment user choice, the DMA designates companies like Google, which control access to their platforms, as gatekeepers. Despite the intentions behind the regulation, various sectors, ranging from comparison shopping sites to hospitality and travel industries, have expressed dissatisfaction, asserting that Google’s adjustments do not align with DMA guidelines.
Among the grievances raised, some competitors have lamented deteriorating search traffic results following the modifications. Bethell acknowledges the complexity of revamping Google’s search engine, emphasizing the imperative to navigate the new opportunities introduced by DMA while mitigating risks to user privacy and security.
Source: Reuters
Featured News
Court Order Temporarily Halts U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Layoffs
Feb 16, 2025 by
CPI
Nokia Poised to Gain EU Approval for $2.3 Billion Infinera Acquisition
Feb 16, 2025 by
CPI
Turkey Fines Frito-Lay in Antitrust Crackdown
Feb 16, 2025 by
CPI
Advances Bill to Strengthen Antitrust Enforcement Through AI
Feb 16, 2025 by
CPI
Intel Faces Potential Breakup as Broadcom and TSMC Explore Deals
Feb 16, 2025 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – International Criminal Enforcement
Jan 23, 2025 by
CPI
The Antitrust Division’s Recent Work to Combat International Cartels
Jan 23, 2025 by
Emma Burnham & Benjamin Christenson
Information Sharing: The New Frontier of U.S. Antitrust Enforcement
Jan 23, 2025 by
Brian P. Quinn, Casey Kovarik & Michael Tubach
The Key Role of Guidelines on Exchanges of Information Among Competitors and the Divergent Transatlantic Paths
Jan 23, 2025 by
Rosa Abrantes-Metz & Albert Metz
Leniency, Whistleblowers, and Compliance
Jan 23, 2025 by
Richard Powers, Tara O’Malley & Cory Gordon