European Commission Asking Competitors About Effects of Google-Samsung AI Deal

The European Commission is reportedly looking into whether Google’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) deal with Samsung keeps other companies’ chatbots off Samsung smartphones.

The antitrust regulator is asking industry participants about the deal and could use what it learns to build a case against the companies, Reuters reported Wednesday (July 17).

The effort centers on a deal in which Google’s Gemini Nano AI model will be embedded in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series smartphones, according to the report.

A request for information sent by the European Commission to industry participants asks them if the deal limits the amount of other generative AI systems that can be preinstalled on a device, if it limits interoperability between other chatbots and apps preinstalled on the phones, and whether they themselves had tried but failed to make deals with device manufacturers to preinstall their chatbots, per the report.

European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in June that the regulator was sending requests for information regarding the effects of Google’s arrangement with Samsung to preinstall Gemini Nano on certain Samsung devices.

Speaking June 28 at a European Commission workshop, Vestager said, “Another risk we see is that big tech companies could make it difficult for smaller foundation model developers to reach end users. Whether alone or in alliances with preferred providers. So we are closely monitoring distribution channels to make sure businesses and consumers still have a wide range of choices among foundation models.”

In another recent move, the European Commission has given Amazon until July 26 to turn over information on measures it has taken to comply with the Digital Services Act.

The Digital Service Act was adopted last year and requires “large online platforms” like Amazon to do more to address illegal or harmful content.

“In particular, Amazon is asked to provide detailed information on its compliance with the provisions concerning transparency of the recommender systems,” the commission said.

The ties between Microsoft and OpenAI are also being given a closer look by the European Commission.

Vestager said on June 28 that the regulator is sending a follow-up request for information “to understand whether certain exclusivity clauses could have a negative effect on competitors.”