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Google to Improve Data Control in Response to German Antitrust Watchdog

By  |  October 5, 2023

Germany’s antitrust watchdog raised initial objections regarding Google’s data practices back in January. Now, Google has agreed to make changes to provide users with more control over their data usage, according to the Federal Cartel Office (FCO) of Germany.

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    The commitments made by Google apply to situations where the company wants to combine personal data from one Google service with data from other Google or non-Google sources or use this data across separate Google services.

    In the future, Google will be required to offer its users the option to provide clear and informed consent for data processing across its services. This will include providing choices for data combinations without employing manipulative tactics, known as “dark patterns.”

    Read more: German Watchdog Probes Google’s Car-Tech Packages

    We have reached out to Google for their comments on these developments and to inquire about the rollout plans, including whether it will extend beyond Germany, reported TechCrunch. It is likely that Google will implement similar changes across the European Union to comply with competition rules.

    According to the FCO decision document, these commitments apply to all Google services directed at end users in Germany with more than one million monthly active users, including Android Automotive. However, Google’s core platform services designated under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Fitbit are not covered, as Fitbit is already subject to extensive obligations regarding the processing of health and wellness data due to EU merger control.

    This announcement from the FCO essentially forces Google to undo its privacy policy consolidation decision from January 2012, which combined over 60 separate privacy notices into one overarching policy. While Google claimed this move would simplify the user experience, it also allowed the company to gather more personal data, enhancing its ability to profile users and bolstering its ad-targeting business, which posed challenges for competitors without its scale in web services.

    Source: Tech Crunch

    Senators Demand Bribery Probe Over Paramount’s $16M Trump Settlement Senators Demand Bribery Probe Over Paramount’s $16M Trump Settlement

    Senators Demand Bribery Probe Over Paramount’s $16M Trump Settlement

    By  |  July 3, 2025

    Scrutiny surrounding media giant Paramount intensified Wednesday as Senator Elizabeth Warren reiterated her call for a federal bribery investigation following the company’s $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. The agreement comes amid Paramount’s ongoing effort to finalize an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media — a deal that hinges on regulatory approval from the federal government.

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      According to a statement released by the Massachusetts senator, the timing and circumstances of the settlement raise serious concerns. Paramount agreed to pay Trump to resolve a $20 billion lawsuit he filed over a “60 Minutes” segment that he alleged was unfairly edited to benefit his 2024 election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. The company initially labeled the case as “completely without merit.”

      “With Paramount folding to Donald Trump at the same time the company needs his administration’s approval for its billion-dollar merger, this could be bribery in plain sight,” Warren said in a statement, renewing demands for a formal investigation into whether the settlement violated federal anti-bribery laws.

      Warren, alongside Senators Bernie Sanders and one other Democratic colleague, had previously addressed their concerns in a letter to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone in May. That letter pressed for transparency around the company’s decision to enter mediation with Trump, per a statement issued at the time.

      Read more: Paramount Settlement Draws FCC Scrutiny Amid Skydance Merger Review

      The controversy has been further amplified by internal fallout. The departures of CBS News President Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” Executive Producer Bill Owens followed internal tensions over the handling of the lawsuit. Paramount has not commented publicly on whether those resignations were directly linked to the settlement.

      In a statement provided to AFP, Paramount maintained that the $16 million payout would not go to Trump personally, but would instead be directed toward his future presidential library. The company emphasized that the agreement included no admission of wrongdoing or apology. “Companies often settle litigation to avoid the high and somewhat unpredictable costs of legal defense,” Paramount said, noting that prolonged court battles can pose substantial financial and reputational risks.

      Senator Sanders echoed Warren’s concerns, stating that Paramount’s decision appeared motivated by financial gain rather than journalistic integrity. “It’s pretty obvious why Paramount chose to surrender to Trump,” Sanders said. He noted that the Redstone family, which holds significant ownership in Paramount, stands to gain an estimated $2.4 billion if the Skydance merger is approved — an approval that could fall under the influence of Trump or his allies.

      The calls for investigation may face headwinds in a Republican-controlled Congress, where Democrats lack the power to compel testimony or documents through subpoenas. Nonetheless, Warren insists the matter demands full examination by relevant authorities.

      Source: France 24