Google fined $3.5 billion by EU for ad tech abuse
Google fined $3.5 billion by EU for ad tech abuse The European Commission has waged a €2.95 billion (~$3.5 billion) fine against Google for “abusing its dominant position” in advertising technology. In its announcement, the Commission claims that Google’s alleged anticompetitive practices have increased costs for advertisers and publishers, potentially raising prices for consumers as […]
The tech antitrust renaissance may already be over
The tech antitrust renaissance may already be over Around six years ago, a new rallying cry rippled through Washington: “Break Up Big Tech.” It was a slogan emblazoned on campaign posters, uttered at congressional hearings, and beginning, it seemed, to echo through the halls of the nation’s antitrust enforcers. Momentum in the legislatures eventually petered […]
The enforcer that could break up Apple and Google is facing upheaval
The enforcer that could break up Apple and Google is facing upheaval The sudden firing of two high-ranking antitrust officials this week is signaling upheaval at an agency responsible for arguing some of the biggest tech monopoly cases in decades. Two top deputies to Department of Justice Antitrust Division chief Gail Slater were fired earlier […]
Google has just two weeks to begin cracking open Android, it admits in emergency filing
Google has just two weeks to begin cracking open Android, it admits in emergency filing Yesterday, when Epic won its Google antitrust lawsuit for a second time, it wasn’t quite clear how soon Google would need to start dismantling its affirmed illegal monopoly. Today, Google admits the answer is: 14 days. Google has just 14 […]
Epic’s Game Store is bringing Fortnite back to Google Play
Epic's Game Store is bringing Fortnite back to Google Play Epic’s Game Store is bringing Fortnite back to Google Play Following an appeals court victory on Thursday, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted that “the Epic Games Store for Android will be coming to the Google Play Store.” This is despite Google’s plan to appeal the […]
The government’s Apple antitrust lawsuit is still on
The government's Apple antitrust lawsuit is still on The government’s Apple antitrust lawsuit is still on The US Department of Justice notched an initial win in its antitrust case against Apple today, with a federal judge rejecting Apple’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit outright. The government’s allegations are “sufficient to demonstrate Apple’s specific intent to […]
Microsoft will finally stop bugging Windows users about Edge — but only in Europe
Microsoft will finally stop bugging Windows users about Edge — but only in Europe Microsoft’s changes in response to the Digital Markets Act already included allowing Windows machines in the regions it covers to uninstall Edge and remove Bing results from Windows search, but now the list is growing in some meaningful ways. New features […]
Did WhatsApp really need Meta?
Did WhatsApp really need Meta? In its antitrust case against Meta, the US Federal Trade Commission is asking a judge to consider an alternate reality. In that world, the company never bought Instagram and WhatsApp. The two apps remained competitive with Facebook, developing features that competed for users’ attention. And that competition created a thriving […]
Meta asks judge to throw out antitrust case mid-trial
Meta asks judge to throw out antitrust case mid-trial Meta has filed a motion for judgment on the antitrust case it’s currently fighting in court. The motion argues that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has failed to produce any evidence that Meta unlawfully monopolized part of the social networking market, something the government argues it […]
FTC v. Meta: The antitrust battle over WhatsApp and Instagram
FTC v. Meta: The antitrust battle over WhatsApp and Instagram Meta antitrust trial The long-awaited antitrust trial between Meta and the Federal Trade Commission kicked off on April 14th. Over about two months, DC District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg is hearing arguments about whether then-Facebook illegally monopolized the market for “personal social networking services” […]