Back in December, Google threatened to shut down its search engine in Australia if the country’s News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC) were to become law. The NMBC wants to compensate news publishers for links to their content in Google’s search results. Days before this happened, Google just wrote up a deal with French publishers to license their …

Australia’s Feud With Google Has Big Implications For Domestic Businesses And Digital Platforms Read More »

A lawsuit has been file against Google by the federal government for a number of violations of antitrust law. According to the suit, Google utilized businesses practices considered problematic in order to establish its digital dominance, which would make it incredibly difficult, if not impossible for other businesses to compete.

During an investigation that took well over a year, it was found by the House Antitrust Subcommittee that bit name online companies Facebook, Apple, Google and Amazon hold quite a lot of power over each of their own particular markets. The Subcommittee has proposed that a significant change happen to how each company operates. What …

Antitrust Investigation Recommends Major Changes Be Made to Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon Read More »

The US Justice Department, as well as a number of state attorneys general might be preparing to sue Google antitrust violations. Antitrust laws exist in both a federal and state level, and aim to promote competition by discouraging large organizations from unfairly using their dominance in the market to squeeze out competitors. Reuters says that …

Google May Face U.S. Antitrust Lawsuits Read More »

It isn’t surprising that Google is facing even more antitrust scrutiny in Europe, this time on two different fronts. According to Reuters =, Google is confronting an examination of its “collection and use of data.” Rivals of Google have formally complained to the European Commission that Google’s business practices, in regards to Google’s shopping comparison …

More EU Antitrust Heat For Google (And Facebook) Over Data Collection Read More »

In both Europe and the US, there is a growing concern in in both political and regulatory circles that more dramatic measures are needed to address a concentration of power among tech giants. On the afternoon of August 13, the head of the US FTC said for the first time that breaking up companies was on …

FTC: Breaking Up Google, Facebook Is A Possible Remedy Read More »

Ecosia, the Berlin-based search engine, says that it won’t participate in Google’s “search-choice” auction for Android devices in 2020 in Europe. With this coming to light, will others follow? Earlier in August, Google announced that it will introduce a new “choice screen” in Europe for Android users in 2020. The screen will be displayed when setting …

Ecosia Says It Will Boycott ‘Search Choice’ Auction On Android In Europe Read More »

The FTC, after almost two years of investigation and intense lobbying, closed its antitrust investigation of Google in January 2013. Google was able to make some concessions, and even escaped significant penalties. At the time, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said, “The law protects competition, not competitors.” But from the moment the decision was made, critics …

Reports: Google, Amazon Facing New Antitrust Inquiries In Changed Political Climate Read More »

The European Commission has been asking local search competitors in Europe whether the changes in Google’s algorithm, as well as their other practices, are hurting them, according to a questionnaire seen by Reuters. If the answer is “yes,” then that means that the EC could end up bringing a fourth antitrust against Google.  Two of …

Report: EU Antitrust Unit Exploring Broader Local Search Complaint Against Google Read More »

In June, 2017 the European Commission (EC) fined Google roughly $2.7 billion for alleged abuse of market position in vertical (shopping) search.  After the decision was made, which Google is in the process of appealing, Google number of changes was implemented to provide “equal treatment” for rival Comparison Shopping Engines (CSEs) in Europe. About a month ago, Margreth Vestager, the …

Google’s EU Shopping Comparison Rivals Say Their Situation Is Getting Worse Read More »