Google Backs Down: Alphabet agrees to change user data practices to end a German antitrust case

Google has announced that they will be changing that they deal with user data and update their user data practices in the EU.

Google has taken this decision to put an end to a German antitrust investigation that was aimed at curbing its data-driven market power, according to the German cartel office.

The German antitrust watchdog in January issued a charge sheet known as a statement of objections to Google over its data processing terms, saying that users were not given sufficient choice as to whether and to what extent they agree to the far-reaching processing of their data across the company’s services.

Tech giants rely on selling targeted advertising based on the massive amounts of data they gather about users, a lucrative business model now in regulators’ crosshairs around the world.

The German regulator said Google’s commitments would give users more choice on how their data is used across the company’s platforms.

“In the future users of Google services will have a much better choice as to what happens to their data, how Google can use them and whether their data may be used across services,” Andreas Mundt, president of the cartel office, said in a statement.

“This not only protects the users’ right to determine the use of their data, but also curbs Google’s data-driven market power,” he said.

Google’s commitment covers more than 25 other services including Gmail, Google News, Assistant, Contacts and Google TV.

It does not apply to Google Shopping, Google Play, Google Maps, Google Search, YouTube, Google Android, Google Chrome and Google’s online advertising services, all of which are subject to a new EU legislation called the Digital Markets Act which has similar obligations.

The German competition authority has ramped up its scrutiny of Big Tech since it acquired sweeping powers called Section 19a GWB in 2021 which allows it to investigate and ban certain types of practices by companies considered to have to have paramount significance and cross-market power.

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iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Fix Rolling Out Now Via New iOS 17 Update: All Details

After numerous complaints via social media posts from users, Apple after admitting that an issue actually exists, has finally released a new update for its iOS-powered handsets. The update tagged as iOS 17.0.3 is the second update to reach its recently launched iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. Out of these, it's the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max that have rec...

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UK to investigate Amazon, Microsoft cloud for illegal practices, abusing market position

Amazon and Microsoft are under investigation by the UK’s antitrust authority, which is concerned that these US tech giants might be using their market dominance unfairly. The UK’s telecom regulator, Ofcom, announced on Thursday that it has requested the Competition and Markets Authority to conduct a formal investigation.

Ofcom’s year-long study revealed that Amazon and Microsoft have made it challenging for customers to use different cloud providers or switch between them, even though cloud services are increasingly important for businesses.

According to Fergal Farragher, the director at Ofcom who oversaw the study, some UK businesses have expressed concerns about the difficulty of changing or mixing cloud providers. They also raised doubts about whether competition is functioning effectively in this space. Ofcom pointed out issues related to the fees for moving data out of the cloud, the lack of compatibility between different providers, and pricing strategies that might discourage customers from exploring alternatives.

Last year, Ofcom initiated an inquiry into concerns that “hyperscale” cloud providers like Amazon’s AWS and Microsoft’s Azure could stifle innovation and hinder market growth. These two companies account for a significant portion of the UK’s public cloud infrastructure market revenue, with Google Cloud contributing around 5% to 10%.

Investigations conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority typically take about 18 months, and if significant issues are identified, the authority can impose remedies, such as requiring companies to sell off certain parts of their business to promote competition.

It’s worth noting that the European Union has also been looking into complaints about the cloud industry, particularly related to potential antitrust violations by Microsoft. Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, for instance, launched its own investigation into Microsoft’s market power earlier this year, citing the growing significance of Microsoft’s cloud services.

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Motorola Edge 40 to Be Available Under Rs. 25,000 During Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale

Motorola Edge 40 was launched in India in May this year. Flipkart has confirmed that during the upcoming Big Billion Days sale, the phone will be offered at a lower price than its usual market price. The Big Billion Days sale is one of the biggest sales of the year by the e-commerce company. This time it coincides with the Amazon Great Indian Festival and starts on Oc...

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TikTok pulls out of retail businesses in Indonesia as the country bans shopping on social media

TikTok has announced the suspension of its online retail operations in Indonesia as a response to the country’s ban on e-commerce transactions conducted through social media platforms. This move represents a significant setback for TikTok in its fastest-growing market.

The Indonesian government unveiled this new regulation on September 28, prohibiting social media companies from facilitating the sale of products on their platforms. The ban was enacted in an effort to shield small businesses from the competition posed by e-commerce companies, with accusations that popular apps and websites were employing predatory pricing tactics.

In a statement released on its website, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform confirmed that it will cease facilitating e-commerce sales on TikTok Shop Indonesia by 5:00 PM local time on Wednesday. TikTok emphasized its commitment to complying with local laws and regulations.

The Trade Minister of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, explained that the ban is intended to prevent algorithm domination and the exploitation of personal data for business interests. The objective is to establish a fair, healthy, and mutually beneficial e-commerce ecosystem, with marketplaces and sellers being permitted to offer or promote goods and services.

A week prior to the ban’s announcement, Tanah Abang, Southeast Asia’s largest wholesale market located in Jakarta, came under scrutiny. Sellers at the market reported over a 50 per cent decline in profits, unable to compete with lower-priced imported products available online. This situation was attributed to TikTok’s involvement in predatory pricing, causing harm to local small and medium-sized businesses. The new regulation is seen as an effort to regulate fair trade both online and offline.

TikTok Indonesia expressed regret over the government’s decision shortly after the ban was announced, particularly concerning its impact on the millions of sellers who use TikTok Shop. However, the company stated its commitment to respecting the regulations and pursuing a constructive path forward.

Southeast Asia, with a population exceeding 675 million people, represents one of TikTok’s largest markets in terms of user numbers, attracting more than 325 million monthly visitors to the app.

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has been subject to scrutiny by various governments and regulators over concerns about potential data harvesting or advancing Beijing’s interests. Several countries, including the United States, Britain, and New Zealand, have banned the app from government devices. TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing data with the Chinese government and stated its commitment not to do so upon request.

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Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2 Prices Leaked Again Ahead of Launch Later Today

Google Pixel 8 series will go official later today alongside the Pixel Watch 2. Ahead of it, price details of the two handsets and the wearable have been leaked online. As per the leak, the vanilla Pixel 8 will cost $699 (roughly Rs. 58,400) for the 128GB storage variant and the Pixel 8 Pro is said to start at $999 (roughly Rs. 83,000) for the 128GB storage model.

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US to investigate TikTok for hiring number of high-ranking executives from China’s ByteDance

Two United States senators have initiated an inquiry into the recent recruitment of high-ranking executives from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by the popular short video-sharing platform TikTok.

Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, and Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, conveyed their concerns to TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, in a letter issued on Tuesday. In their communication, they voiced apprehensions regarding the autonomy of TikTok’s operations and the safeguarding of American users’ data.

With over 150 million Americans using TikTok, the platform has been under the scrutiny of US lawmakers who have expressed worries about potential Chinese government influence, even calling for a nationwide ban. The recent staff transitions have raised suspicions that TikTok may be seeking to maintain ByteDance’s sway over its operations while evading scrutiny.

The senators have requested a comprehensive explanation of the security measures imposed on ByteDance employees relocating from China to the United States.

While there have been endeavours to grant the Biden administration expanded authority to prohibit TikTok, these efforts have encountered obstacles in Congress. Senator Maria Cantwell, in collaboration with the White House and fellow legislators, has been crafting an amended bill to address concerns not only about TikTok but also other foreign-owned applications.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who previously attempted to pass legislation for a TikTok ban in May, intends to push for a vote on the matter later this year, asserting, “We need to revisit this issue, and we need to implement a ban.” He further lamented TikTok’s extensive lobbying efforts that have impeded legislative progress.

In 2020, the then-US President, Donald Trump, aimed to halt new downloads of TikTok and WeChat, another Chinese-owned app owned by Tencent. However, a series of court decisions thwarted the enforcement of these bans.

Additionally, TikTok is currently embroiled in a legal battle against the state of Montana, which has slated a ban to take effect on January 1. A court hearing is scheduled for October 12 regarding TikTok’s lawsuit.

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