Google loses court battle over first EU antitrust fine – POLITICO

Google loses court battle over first EU antitrust fine – POLITICO

Google was fined in 2017 for how it favored its own shopping search results over rival services. The fine was the first for the company in a slew of EU antitrust investigations, including a probe into advertising technology where the European Commission is weighing a break-up of the company’s businesses. Google is still fighting two … Read more

The MEPs who actually matter – POLITICO

The MEPs who actually matter – POLITICO

This article is part of the Brussels Survival Guide. There’s plenty to pay attention to in the new cohort entering the European Parliament — including, of course, the people. See below our guide on key figures across the policy palette. Céline Imart AGRICULTURAL DISRUPTOR European People’s Party, France A cereal farmer from Occitania in France, she … Read more

EU accuses Facebook owner Meta of breaking digital rules with paid ad-free option

EU accuses Facebook owner Meta of breaking digital rules with paid ad-free option

The US tech giant rolled out the option after the European Union’s top court ruled Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users, in a decision that threatened its business model of tailoring ads based on individual users’ online interests and digital activity. Meta’s model does not allow users to exercise their right … Read more

The European Parliament has changed your life — really. Here’s how. – POLITICO

The European Parliament has changed your life — really. Here’s how. – POLITICO

But as we wait to see how the 2024 EU election shakes down, here’s a snapshot of some of the smaller but more tangible things MEPs have done over the last five years. One charger to power them all Apple itself will never admit it, but when it launched the iPhone 15 with a regular … Read more

Germany and France push for mega-deals in competition overhaul – POLITICO

Germany and France push for mega-deals in competition overhaul – POLITICO

With a new Commission in the offing, the EU’s two biggest economies are making their move to change the antitrust rulebook. “We need to review the current European competition rules” to check if they can allow “consortia and consolidation in key sectors” such as mobile networks or airspace “in order to strengthen European resilience,” the … Read more

The impact of AI on disinformation and democracy – POLITICO

The impact of AI on disinformation and democracy – POLITICO

We are proud to support POLITICO’s expanded coverage of artificial intelligence (AI) and elections this year through this dedicated series. As a global foundation working to safeguard democracy from digital threats — from illegal data collection to algorithmic polarization — we know the role of AI throughout 2024’s global marathon of elections will shape public … Read more

Lady Gaga gives EU a migraine (medication) – POLITICO

Lady Gaga gives EU a migraine (medication) – POLITICO

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, “has to delete the illegal ad immediately and take measures to prevent such breaches,” Alexandra Geese, the Greens’ point person on platforms, told Playbook when shown the ad. “The platforms will only abide by our rules if we show our political will to enforce them.” Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager told … Read more

The European Commission probe against Apple, Meta and Google for non-compliance with fair market provisions | Explained

The European Commission probe against Apple, Meta and Google for non-compliance with fair market provisions | Explained

The story so far: In a comprehensive slew of measures to ensure “contestable and fair markets in the digital sector” in line with the provisions of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Commission on March 25 initiated ‘non-compliance investigations’ against Apple, Meta and Google’s parent Alphabet. It will also investigate Amazon’s ranking practices on … Read more

Apple, Google, Meta targeted in EU’s first Digital Markets Act probes

Apple, Google, Meta targeted in EU’s first Digital Markets Act probes

Apple, Alphabet’s Google and Meta Platforms will be investigated for potential breaches of the EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA), European antitrust regulators said on Monday, potentially leading to hefty fines for the companies. The European Union law, effective from March 7, aims to challenge the power of the tech giants by making it easier … Read more

EU probes Apple, Google and Meta over digital rules compliance – POLITICO

EU probes Apple, Google and Meta over digital rules compliance – POLITICO

Apple will be investigated over its measures to allow users to do more to tailor their devices by uninstalling software, changing Apple’s default setting or using choice screens to prompt users to pick a browser or search engine for their phone. “Apple’s measures, including the design of the web browser choice screen, may be preventing … Read more