GOOGLE ANTICOMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR
Google defeats US bid to force ad tech sale
While the ad exchange is a small part of Google's business, the ruling is the second powerful symbolic victory against the U.S. Department of Justice in its efforts to force Google to sell assets to address illegal monopolies.
US probes Netflix’s power over filmmakers in Warner Deal review
The US Justice Department is investigating Netflix's massive acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Regulators are examining if Netflix uses its market power unfairly against content creators. This review is more extensive than usual, suggesting a lengthy process. The investigation could impact rival bids, including Paramount's. Netflix denies any monopolistic behavior and pledges cooperation.
Netflix's Sarandos faces tough US Senate over Warner Bros deal
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos will testify before the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The hearing focuses on Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery. Lawmakers are concerned about competition in the streaming industry. The Department of Justice is also reviewing the deal. Paramount Skydance has also made a bid for Warner Bros.
Ticketmaster faces Quebec class action lawsuit after court rules service fees may be unreasonable
Ticketmaster is facing a class action lawsuit in Quebec over its service fees. A judge has allowed the case to move to trial. The lawsuit claims ticket fees are unfair and too high. One buyer says he paid much more after losing his original seats. The case could affect thousands of Canadian ticket buyers.
No claim needed: Google’s $700 million settlement will send checks straight to Americans
Americans will get money from a big Google settlement linked to Google Play purchases. The payout will be automatic for most people, and no claim form is needed. The case involves questions about Google’s app store rules. Payments will be sent online after final approval. Many users who bought apps will receive money.
Explained: OpenAI and Microsoft's new agreement allowing major restructuring
OpenAI can now restructure its operating arm into a public benefit corporation with the nonprofit parent maintaining control. It would provide the nonprofit with an equity stake valued at more than $100 billion in the for-profit entity that would make it “one of the most well-resourced philanthropic organizations in the world”, chairman Bret Taylor wrote.
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Google hit with $3.5 billion fine from European Union in ad-tech antitrust case
The European Union has fined Google €2.95 billion for violating competition rules by favoring its own digital advertising services. The EU demands Google end its anti-competitive practices and address conflicts of interest within its ad tech business. Google disputes the decision, arguing it will harm European businesses.
OpenAI executives weigh antitrust accusation against Microsoft: WSJ report
OpenAI executives are reportedly considering accusing Microsoft of anticompetitive behavior regarding their partnership, potentially seeking regulatory review and a public campaign. This move could jeopardize their pivotal AI collaboration as OpenAI seeks to modify investment terms and reduce reliance on Microsoft's cloud services. Negotiations are ongoing, with OpenAI proposing a restructured unit and Microsoft seeking additional concessions.
How Apple created a legal mess when it skirted a judge's ruling
After a court ordered Apple to allow external payment links in apps, internal debates ensued over preserving its App Store revenue. CEO Tim Cook chose a 27% commission, despite legal risks. A judge later ruled Apple lied, withheld evidence, and defied court orders, damaging its credibility in ongoing global antitrust cases.
Google faces September trial on ad tech antitrust remedies
Google will face trial in September over antitrust concerns, with the DOJ pushing for the sale of its ad exchange and publisher ad server business. The DOJ argues this move is necessary to address Google's dominance and anticompetitive practices that harm publishers and internet users.
Google makes history with rapid-fire antitrust losses
The Google decisions are part of a wave of current antitrust cases challenging the power of the biggest tech companies. This week, the trial began in a suit by the FTC claiming that Meta, formerly Facebook, cemented an illegal monopoly in social media through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Landmark ruling: Judge delivers blow to Google, declares its ad empire an illegal monopoly that caused widespread harm to digital consumers
Google ad monopoly just took a major legal hit. A U.S. federal judge ruled that Google illegally dominates the digital advertising market, calling its actions harmful to publishers, rivals, and consumers. The court found Google violated antitrust laws by controlling both the ad server and ad exchange systems. With Alphabet shares falling and the Justice Department pushing for a breakup of its ad empire, this ruling could reshape how online ads work forever.
The US wants to break up Google and Meta. That could be hard.
A new wave of antitrust cases is challenging major tech companies like Meta and Google. The government seeks potential breakups to address monopolistic practices, as seen in past cases like Microsoft and AT&T. However, experts debate the effectiveness of such structural remedies, with courts showing caution in their application.
The US wants to break up Google and Meta: That could be hard
In an antitrust trial that began Monday, the Federal Trade Commission argued that Meta maintained an illegal monopoly in social media through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The agency seeks to force Meta to divest both. Next week at a separate trial, a federal judge will hear arguments from the Justice Department about why the court should break up Google in order to remedy the company's monopoly in internet search.
Biden administration sprints to tie up tech loose ends
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced late last month that it would begin to regulate e-payment services by companies like Google and Apple, creating the first regulatory oversight of the apps. The Justice Department asked for a federal judge to break up Google over its monopoly in search. And the Commerce Department is racing to grant more than $80 billion to chip manufacturers and companies bringing broadband to American homes.
US antitrust case against Google is just the start
Under the Trump administration, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission started investigating Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, for monopolistic behavior. The government has since sued all four companies -- Google twice -- in what it says is an effort to rein in their power and promote more competition.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testifies that Google's power in search is ubiquitous
Nadella was often direct and sometimes combative as he laid out how Microsoft could not overcome Google's use of multibillion-dollar deals to be the default search engine on smartphones and web browsers.
Google reaches tentative settlement with 36 states and DC over alleged app store monopoly
The agreement, cited in a court filing late Tuesday by both sides, is subject to approval by the state attorneys general and the board of directors of Google's parent company, the execution of an agreement and court approval.
Google’s ad tech in peril as EU joins US’s breakup bandwagon
The European Commission last week joined the Department of Justice in touting a breakup as a viable remedy for the California-based tech giant’s alleged monopoly abuses.
Alphabet earns record profit on Google ad surge
Google advertising revenue rose 41% to $53.1 billion during the third quarter. Alphabet's overall sales jumped to $65.1 billion, above the average estimate of $63.3 billion among analysts tracked by Refinitiv.
Google in court to appeal EU's 2018 Android antitrust case
Google is fighting a 2018 decision from the EU's executive Commission that resulted in the $5 billion fine—still the biggest ever fine Brussels has imposed for anticompetitive behavior.
US takes a new stab at Facebook antitrust suit
The suit submitted Thursday contains the same overall arguments as the original, saying that Facebook’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were made to create a “moat” around its monopoly in social networking.
In Apple versus Epic Games, courtroom battle is only half the fight
Epic alleges Apple has such a strong lock on those customers that the app store constitutes a distinct market for software developers over which the iPhone maker has monopoly power.
Alphabet sets profit record, plans $50 billion buyback
With online consumer activity remaining elevated in the first quarter, Alphabet beat analysts' revenue estimates and nearly surpassed the sales record it set in the fourth quarter.
US senators question Apple and Google on app store dominance
The hearing came a day after Apple said it would begin selling AirTags in direct competition with Tile, which has sold a similar tracking device for more than a decade.
Google, Apple executives to testify in app store hearing on Wednesday
Music streaming service Spotify and dating app Match have been critical of both tech giants' app stores, while Tile, whose app helps people find objects, has focused on Apple.
U.S. senators criticize Apple for not testifying on antitrust concerns
App makers long have accused Apple's App Store for iPhones and iPads, along with Google's Play store for Android devices, of engaging in anticompetitive behavior.
Google's privacy push draws US antitrust scrutiny
Google's plan to block "cookies" is a source of concern for US Justice Department investigators, who have been asking ad industry executives whether the move by the search giant will hobble its smaller rivals.
Big Tech under big fire: All you need to know
Here’s a quick guide to what’s happening and what it may all mean.
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