Tag: Antitrust

Apple and Google have announced a multiyear partnership that will see Google's Gemini AI models underpin a more personalized version of Siri, slated for release in 2026. The agreement lets Apple use Gemini and Google Cloud to drive its upcoming frontier models and Apple Intelligence while keeping data on Apple devices and private cloud compute for privacy. Analysts note the deal continues Apple’s tradition of “co‑opetition” with Google, which already pays Apple for default search placement, and could give Google a larger AI footprint on iPhone users. Potential antitrust concerns have been raised, but the specifics of the technology exchange remain unclear. Leggi di più

The European Commission has launched an antitrust probe into Google’s AI‑driven search tools, focusing on its AI Overviews and AI Mode. Regulators will examine whether Google uses website and YouTube content to generate AI answers without compensating publishers, and whether it imposes unfair terms that limit competitors’ access to that data. The investigation aims to assess potential harms to competition in the AI market and to determine if Google’s practices restrict rival AI firms from using the same content. Google has defended its approach, saying it will work with news and creative industries as AI evolves. Leggi di più

Google and the Department of Justice met in Washington to fine‑tune a federal court order that curtails the tech giant’s search practices. While the order aims to restore competition in the search market, Google argues that the imposed restrictions should not hamper the rollout of its Gemini AI app, especially when bundled with services like YouTube and Maps. The judge expressed concern that such bundling could give Google undue leverage, but also rejected the most aggressive DOJ proposals. Google maintains that its AI offerings are distinct from its search monopoly and should not be subject to the same remedies. Leggi di più

Apple told a federal court that Elon Musk’s xAI does not compete in the smartphone market and that the company’s alleged antitrust grievance rests on speculation. Apple argued Musk’s theory—that Apple is incentivized to boost OpenAI to block xAI’s “super‑app” ambitions—is unfounded, noting that a super‑app capable of replacing smartphones is at least a decade away. The company warned that forcing Apple to integrate every generative‑AI chatbot would hinder innovation, raise costs, and create safety risks, while emphasizing that nothing in its OpenAI agreement prevents Musk from building his own applications. Leggi di più

F-Droid has issued a warning that Google’s upcoming developer verification program and stricter sideloading rules threaten the viability of its open‑source Android app repository. The company says the plan would require independent developers to register and possibly pay fees, undermining free distribution of apps. F-Droid is urging regulators in the United States and Europe to scrutinize the changes, citing recent antitrust losses for Google and the need to protect user choice under the Digital Markets Act. The pilot verification program is set to launch soon, with unverified apps slated for restriction in select markets within a year. Leggi di più

In a federal antitrust trial over Google’s dominance in digital advertising, Judge Leonie Brinkema has centered the dispute on whether the company can be trusted to follow court orders. The Justice Department seeks a divestiture of Google’s AdX exchange and changes to its DoubleClick for Publishers (DFP) tool, arguing that the current setup harms publishers and advertisers. Google counters that the remedies are impractical and warns that the government overestimates the difficulty of restructuring its ad‑tech stack. The judge’s probing of trust may shape the final remedies and the future of Google’s ad‑tech business. Leggi di più

The European Union has firmly rejected Apple’s request to overturn the Digital Markets Act (DMA), reaffirming its commitment to the legislation that aims to curb big‑tech dominance. EU digital affairs spokesperson Thomas Regnier emphasized that the Commission has “absolutely no intention” of dismantling the DMA, even as Apple continues to criticize the law’s impact on users. The EU has already imposed a substantial fine on Apple for anti‑competitive behavior and is proceeding with public consultations on the DMA. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between regulators and large technology firms over market fairness and consumer protection. Leggi di più

Google has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting a temporary pause on a permanent injunction issued in the Epic Games lawsuit. The Ninth Circuit upheld the injunction, compelling Google to stop forcing Android app developers to use Google Play Billing and to allow alternative payment links and pricing. Google aims to file a full appeal for certiorari by October 27, while asking the Court to halt the injunction by October 17. A district judge has scheduled a compliance hearing for October 30. The move could reshape the Android app ecosystem and the broader antitrust landscape. Leggi di più

Instagram has announced it now has 3 billion monthly active users. To keep growth momentum, the platform will test features that let users fine‑tune the algorithm behind Reels and other feeds, including toggling interest topics and a redesigned navigation bar that emphasizes direct messages. The rollout comes as Meta faces antitrust scrutiny over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, with internal tensions highlighted between Instagram’s rise and Facebook’s declining appeal among younger users. Leggi di più

YouTube said it will offer a limited pilot program that lets creators whose channels were removed for spreading Covid‑19 or election misinformation in 2020 return to the platform. Alphabet’s lawyers argue the earlier bans were driven by political pressure and that the current community guidelines have evolved. The company framed the change as a commitment to free expression and noted it will stop using third‑party fact‑checkers. Lawmakers, particularly from the House Judiciary Committee, have praised the move as a step back from censorship, while Google continues to face antitrust scrutiny. Leggi di più

In a federal antitrust trial, the Department of Justice argues that Google has illegally monopolized the online advertising market by tying its ad exchange, AdX, to its publisher ad server, DoubleClick for Publishers (DFP). The government asks the court to force Google to sell these key assets and to open‑source the auction logic that determines which ads win. Google counters with a proposal for behavioral fixes and emphasizes that sweeping breakup remedies could harm innovation and user privacy. Testimony from publishers underscores the central role of Google’s tools in funding free content on the web. Leggi di più

Judge Brinkema ruled that Google illegally secured monopoly power in online advertising, prompting a new round of courtroom arguments. The Department of Justice and Google lawyers are now debating whether the decision should force a breakup of Google's AdX exchange. The DOJ maintains that Google unfairly locked up the ad‑tech market, while Google argues its products are efficient and face ample competition. Leggi di più

Chinese regulators have closed their antitrust probe into Google’s Android operating system, a case that examined the platform’s dominance and its effect on domestic phone makers. The decision comes amid broader U.S.-China trade discussions involving TikTok, NVIDIA, and tariffs, and reflects Beijing’s strategic use of regulatory pressure in diplomatic negotiations. While Google’s core services remain blocked in China, the company continues to generate revenue through cloud services and advertising aimed at overseas audiences. Leggi di più

Penske Media, owner of publications such as Rolling Stone, Variety and Billboard, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that Google illegally uses their content and that of other publishers to populate AI Overviews that appear at the top of search results. The complaint says Google's dominance forces publishers to surrender traffic and revenue, while AI Overviews divert clicks away from original sites. Google has responded that its services send “higher quality clicks” and will defend the claims. The case could shape how AI‑generated summaries are licensed and impact the broader relationship between search platforms and news publishers. Leggi di più

Alphabet surpassed the $3 trillion market capitalization threshold after a federal judge declined to order a breakup of the company. The decision softened the remedies from a prior ruling that found Google’s search business illegal monopoly. The Justice Department’s proposal to force the sale of Chrome and other aggressive actions was rejected, ending unsolicited bids from firms. Meanwhile, Alphabet’s cloud and AI offerings continue to drive growth, placing the firm alongside Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple in the elite trillion‑dollar club. Leggi di più

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a preliminary injunction that restricts Google’s conduct in the Google Play Store for a three‑year period ending on November 1, 2027. The order bars Google from tying revenue sharing, payment terms, pre‑installation, and billing requirements to developers’ distribution choices, and it prevents the company from blocking communication about alternative payment methods or app availability outside the Play Store. Both Google and Epic Games will each appoint a member to a three‑person Technical Committee to resolve disputes arising under the order. Leggi di più

China's State Administration for Market Regulation has opened an investigation into NVIDIA's $6.9 billion purchase of Mellanox, asserting that the deal violated national antitrust laws and the conditions China set when it approved the takeover. While no penalties have been announced, the regulator’s preliminary findings were kept confidential until now, coinciding with U.S.–China trade talks in Madrid. The original acquisition was announced in 2019 and approved by Chinese authorities the following year on the basis that NVIDIA would continue supplying GPUs and interconnect products under “fair, reasonable, and non‑discriminatory” terms. Leggi di più

Microsoft has agreed to sell Office 365 suites without the Teams collaboration tool at a substantially lower price, ending a long‑standing European Union antitrust dispute. The settlement follows a complaint that Microsoft illegally tied Teams to its dominant Office suite, limiting competition. Under the deal, customers can switch to licenses that exclude Teams, move their data elsewhere, and benefit from price cuts that could halve the cost difference between bundled and unbundled suites. Competitors such as Slack, Google Meet and Zoom will gain greater interoperability, while Microsoft avoids a potential EU fine. Leggi di più

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Google and Amazon misled advertisers about pricing and terms for their online ads. The probe focuses on the auction-style sale of ad space, including Google's automated search auctions and Amazon's real‑time listings auctions. Regulators are examining Amazon's use of "reserve pricing" and Google's internal pricing processes to determine if advertisers were kept in the dark about price floors or hidden cost increases. The FTC investigation adds to broader federal scrutiny of big‑tech firms, following other antitrust actions involving Google. Leggi di più

The European Commission has imposed a record fine of €2.95 billion (just under $3.5 billion) on Google, concluding the company abused its dominant position in online advertising. Regulators said Google favored its own ad exchange, AdX, in both its publisher ad server and ad‑buying tools, creating a conflict of interest across the adtech supply chain. Google has 60 days to stop the self‑preferencing practices and must propose remedies, or face further action. The company announced it will appeal the decision, arguing there are maybe alternatives to its services. The fine is the EU's second‑largest antitrust penalty ever. Leggi di più