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| German antitrust regulator opens probe into Google over data use as part of crackdown on Big Tech | German antitrust regulator opens probe into Google over data use as part of crackdown on Big Tech |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Germany’s antitrust authority has said it is investigating European units of Google and its parent company, Alphabet over potentially anti-competitive practices, following similar action against Amazon and Facebook. | Germany’s antitrust authority has said it is investigating European units of Google and its parent company, Alphabet over potentially anti-competitive practices, following similar action against Amazon and Facebook. |
| The probe was announced on Tuesday by Germany’s national competition regulator, the Federal Cartel Office. | The probe was announced on Tuesday by Germany’s national competition regulator, the Federal Cartel Office. |
| Explaining the decision, Andreas Mundt, the president of the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), said that Google is made up of an “ecosystem that extends across different markets” – from the Google search engine, YouTube, Google Maps, the Android operating system, and the Chrome browser – and that it is often very difficult for other companies to “challenge this position of power.” | Explaining the decision, Andreas Mundt, the president of the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), said that Google is made up of an “ecosystem that extends across different markets” – from the Google search engine, YouTube, Google Maps, the Android operating system, and the Chrome browser – and that it is often very difficult for other companies to “challenge this position of power.” |
| The regulator will also undertake an in-depth analysis of Google’s data processing terms, as the company “enjoys a strategic advantage,” and a key question for the regulator is “whether consumers wishing to use Google’s services have sufficient choice as to how Google will use their data.” | The regulator will also undertake an in-depth analysis of Google’s data processing terms, as the company “enjoys a strategic advantage,” and a key question for the regulator is “whether consumers wishing to use Google’s services have sufficient choice as to how Google will use their data.” |
| The move follows the application of a new regulation giving the body more power to rein in big tech companies. The 10th amendment to the German Competition Act, which came into force in January, includes a key provision which enables it to intervene “earlier and more effectively” against the practices of large digital companies. | The move follows the application of a new regulation giving the body more power to rein in big tech companies. The 10th amendment to the German Competition Act, which came into force in January, includes a key provision which enables it to intervene “earlier and more effectively” against the practices of large digital companies. |
| In a two-step procedure, the Federal Cartel Office can prohibit companies which are of “paramount significance for competition across markets” from engaging in anti-competitive practices. | In a two-step procedure, the Federal Cartel Office can prohibit companies which are of “paramount significance for competition across markets” from engaging in anti-competitive practices. |
| Google “will cooperate fully with the German competition authority,” Ralf Bremer, a company spokesperson, said, according to Reuters. “People choose Google because it’s helpful, not because they’re forced to, or because they can’t find alternatives,” he added. | Google “will cooperate fully with the German competition authority,” Ralf Bremer, a company spokesperson, said, according to Reuters. “People choose Google because it’s helpful, not because they’re forced to, or because they can’t find alternatives,” he added. |
| The competition authority also opened an inquiry into online retail giant Amazon earlier this month over potential anti-competitive practices. In a statement at the time, Andreas Mundt said his office was examining whether Amazon has “an almost unchallengeable position of economic power” and whether it “operates across various markets.” A similar probe was launched against social networking giant Facebook in January. | The competition authority also opened an inquiry into online retail giant Amazon earlier this month over potential anti-competitive practices. In a statement at the time, Andreas Mundt said his office was examining whether Amazon has “an almost unchallengeable position of economic power” and whether it “operates across various markets.” A similar probe was launched against social networking giant Facebook in January. |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |