The Autorité de la concurrence fines Google € 500 million for not complying with interim measures in neighboring rights case

Today the French Autorité de la concurrence (the “Autorité”) handed down a damning decision finding that Google has failed to comply with an earlier interim measures decision adopted in April 2020 with respect to press publisher’s neighboring rights. The Autorité fined Google € 500 million and ordered Google to comply with its interim measures on … Continue reading The Autorité de la concurrence fines Google € 500 million for not complying with interim measures in neighboring rights case →

EU probes Google’s ad tech business

Another day, another antitrust investigation into Google’s ad tech business. This time the probe was launched by the European Commission (the “Commission”), which has already fined Google three times for engaging in anticompetitive conduct. As readers of this blog are probably aware, Google’s practices in ad tech have captured considerable regulatory attention: the French Autorité … Continue reading EU probes Google’s ad tech business →

CMA publishes commitments offered by Google with respect to its Privacy Sandbox proposals, seeks comments

Last Friday the UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) published a 93-page long notice of intention to accept commitments offered by Google in relation to its Privacy Sandbox proposals, inviting all interested parties to submit their observations. By way of reminder, the CMA launched an investigation back in January 2021 into Google’s removal of third-party … Continue reading CMA publishes commitments offered by Google with respect to its Privacy Sandbox proposals, seeks comments →

Google fined € 220 million by French Autorité de la concurrence for breaching competition law in ad tech; offers commitments

Yesterday, the French competition authority (“Autorité de la concurrence”) handed down a landmark decision finding that Google has breached Article 102 TFEU and the equivalent provision of French competition law through anticompetitive conduct in ad tech. The Autorité imposed on Google a fine of €220 million and rendered binding a series of commitments (“engagements”) proposed … Continue reading Google fined € 220 million by French Autorité de la concurrence for breaching competition law in ad tech; offers commitments →

EU sends Apple Statement of Objections (music streaming services)

Just a few days after the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission released its interim report on app marketplaces finding that "Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store have significant market power in the distribution of mobile apps in Australia," the European Commission addressed to Apple a Statement of Objections over its App Store rules for … Continue reading EU sends Apple Statement of Objections (music streaming services) →

The CJEU’s ruling on Slovak Telekom, and what it means for cases involving dominant digital platforms

Last week the CJEU delivered its judgment in case C-165/19 P dismissing the appeal brought by Slovak Telekom ("ST") against the judgment of the General Court of 13 December 2018 (T‑851/14). Damien was representing ST alongside Robert O'Donoghue from Brick Court Chambers. The case concerns a 2014 infringement decision of the Commission, whereby the latter found … Continue reading The CJEU’s ruling on Slovak Telekom, and what it means for cases involving dominant digital platforms →

The latest around Google and the Privacy Sandbox

On Monday the US State AGs filed an amended complaint against Google with respect to ad tech, joined by five additional States. (Reminder: the State AGs sued Google in December 2020, arguing that the tech company has engaged in anticompetitive conduct and even entered into an unlawful agreement with Facebook to restrict competition in the … Continue reading The latest around Google and the Privacy Sandbox →

Unpacking Google’s latest blog post on web tracking

Yesterday Google published a blog post regarding its approach to web tracking once third-party cookies are phased out in Chrome. The post was the talk of the day all over Twitter and the mainstream press, and certain commentators even suggested that Google has pledged to stop selling ads based on individual web browsing (a monumental … Continue reading Unpacking Google’s latest blog post on web tracking →

Epic Games files complaint against Apple with DG COMP

Epic Games' bitter fight with Apple has officially reached the EU. Earlier today Epic Games announced it has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with DG COMP, arguing the iPhone maker has "completely eliminated competition in app distribution and payment processes." This is the latest development in a now-global dispute between Apple and Epic Games, … Continue reading Epic Games files complaint against Apple with DG COMP →

ACCC finds lack of competition in ad tech affects publishers, advertisers, and consumers

Australia has turned into one of the key regulatory battlefields for Big Tech - see for example the ongoing acrimonious fight over the news media code, with Google and Facebook threatening to pull out of the country if the proposed code enters into force. In the meantime, following up on its Digital Platforms Inquiry (report … Continue reading ACCC finds lack of competition in ad tech affects publishers, advertisers, and consumers →