META ANTITRUST INVESTIGATION
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.
EU order against Meta may last until June 2029, EU antitrust chief says
A key EU order for Meta Platforms to allow rival AI chatbots access to its WhatsApp messaging app will continue. This decision stands as the European Union investigates competition concerns. The order could remain effective for several years, potentially until 2029. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated Meta's proposals to resolve these issues were unconvincing.
EU orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots for free
The EU ordered Meta on Tuesday to give rival AI chatbots access to its WhatsApp platform for free within five working days as it carries out an antitrust probe, or risk a heavy fine. The EU had warned Meta it faced interim measures if it did not open WhatsApp to rival AI assistants in February.
EU rejects Meta's pay-for-access remedy in WhatsApp AI chatbots probe
The EU told Meta Wednesday that charging rival AI chatbots for access to its WhatsApp platform runs against the bloc's antitrust rules, rebuffing the measure taken by the US giant in response to a probe. Meta started charging a fee as redress in March after an EU probe found it had "effectively" barred third-party artificial intelligence assistants from the messaging platform - in breach of competition rules.
Meta opens WhatsApp Business API to AI chatbots in Europe amid EU antitrust scrutiny
The move comes after the European Commission last month told Meta it was considering temporary measures to prevent the company from enforcing a policy blocking third-party AI chatbot providers from operating through the WhatsApp Business API. Meta’s policy, which came into effect on January 15, drew complaints from several AI assistant providers who said blocking access to the API disrupted their businesses and raised competition concerns.
Meta to allow AI rivals on WhatsApp in bid to stave off EU action
The European Commission, the EU's competition enforcer, last month threatened interim measures to prevent potential serious and irreparable harm to rivals after Meta blocked them from WhatsApp, mirroring moves by Italy's watchdog in December.
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EU warns Meta it must open up WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots
Competition chief Teresa Ribera said the EU was "considering quickly imposing interim measures on Meta, to preserve access for competitors to WhatsApp while the investigation is ongoing, and avoid Meta's new policy irreparably harming competition in Europe." The EU executive, which is in charge of competition policy, sent Meta a warning known as a "statement of objections", a formal step in antitrust probes.
Italy watchdog orders Meta to halt WhatsApp terms barring rival AI chatbots: Report
Italy's competition authority (AGCM) has instructed Meta to stop enforcing rules that may obstruct competing AI chatbots from operating on WhatsApp. With the investigation focused on potential monopolistic behaviour by Meta, the company contends that the decision is misguided and vows to challenge it in court.
European regulators crack down on Big Tech
European regulators are taking strong action against major tech firms. Investigations are underway into Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and X. These probes focus on competition rules and online content. Fines have been issued, and new rules are being enforced. This signals a significant shift in how Big Tech operates in Europe.
EU hits Meta with antitrust probe over WhatsApp AI features
The European Union has launched an antitrust inquiry into Meta's recent AI advancements on WhatsApp, citing concerns about potential barriers for third-party AI innovators.
EU to launch antitrust probe into Meta over use of AI in WhatsApp: FT
Brussels is preparing an antitrust probe into Meta over how it introduced Meta AI inside WhatsApp. The European Commission is expected to announce the case soon. Officials say they want to examine the integration closely. The commission could announce the investigation in the coming days, though the timing could shift.
Italy competition watchdog broadens probe into Meta over AI tools in WhatsApp
Italy's antitrust authority has expanded its investigation into Meta Platforms, alleging abuse of dominance via AI tools on WhatsApp. The regulator is also initiating procedures for potential interim measures concerning new WhatsApp Business Solution Terms and the integration of Meta AI features. This follows an initial investigation launched in July.
Meta faces Italian competition investigation over WhatsApp AI chatbot
Italy's antitrust authority has started an investigation into Meta Platforms. The probe focuses on the integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp. Regulators suspect Meta may be abusing its dominant position. They believe this integration could harm competitors. Meta says its AI service benefits millions of Italians. The authority is concerned about user consent and potential market distortion.
CCI confirms Apple’s anti-competitive practices in app store probe
The investigation, initiated in December 2021, focuses on allegations that Apple abused its dominant position in the iOS app store market. It also looked into claims that Apple forces developers to use its in-app purchase system, charging fees of up to 30%. This affects app developers, users, and payment processors.
EU slaps Meta with a nearly 800 million euro fine for engaging in 'abusive' Marketplace practices
Meta is accused of distorting competition by tying its online classified ad business to its social network, which exposes Facebook users to this which presents them with an unfair advantage.
European regulators crack down on Big Tech
EU regulators probe Big Tech. Apple addresses DMA breaches, Spotify's complaint. Microsoft leaves OpenAI’s board. Meta's consent model, CrowdTangle features, Facebook, Instagram’s child safety scrutinized. Google fined 2.42 billion euros. Amazon's DSA compliance checked. NVIDIA faces French probe. TikTok, Meta gatekeeper disputes. Italy fines Facebook, Meta. Germany ends Google probe. UK investigates cloud market. Spain suspends Meta products.
European regulators crack down on Big Tech
Apple, Meta Platforms and Alphabet's Google could receive hefty fines by the end of the year for alleged breaches including disparaging rival products on their platforms.
European regulators crack down on Big Tech
Apple, Meta Platforms and Google are set to be investigated for potential violations of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) that could lead to fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.
Apple, Meta, Google set to face EU Digital Markets Act probes
The European Commission will likely announce the investigations in coming days and issue decisions before EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager's term ends in November, they said.
Explained: Why are Apple, Amazon, Google and Meta facing antitrust lawsuits and huge fines?
The United States Justice Department is set to file a lawsuit against Apple for potentially breaching antitrust laws. Antitrust laws originated with the US Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and are enforced at domestic levels. Of the big four tech companies, Apple is the latest to be accused of breaching antitrust laws. The lawsuit alleges that Apple is using hardware and software limitations to stifle competition with iPhones and iPads.
Amazon and Meta settle UK investigations with pledges to refrain from unfair practices
The Competition and Markets Authority said it accepted the committments from the US tech companies to close the investigations into their online marketplaces.
EU antitrust regulators rejected Meta offer to curb use of ad data, sources say
Meta Platforms offered to curb the use of competitors' advertising data for its Facebook Marketplace online classified service in an attempt to settle an EU antitrust investigation but it was not accepted by regulators, people familiar with the matter said.
Dutch online marketplace OLX contributing to EU antitrust probe into Meta
The European Commission has accused Meta of gaining an unfair advantage by tying its classified advertisements service Marketplace with its social network Facebook and imposing unfair trading conditions on rival online classified ads services.
Meta loses as top EU court backs antitrust regulators over privacy breach checks
Antitrust authorities overseeing firms such as Facebook owner Meta Platforms are entitled to also assess privacy breaches, Europe's top court ruled on Tuesday, potentially handing them more leeway in Big Tech probes.
German antitrust watchdog can add privacy breaches to Meta probe, EU court says
The case before the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) concerns a 2019 German cartel office order to Meta to stop collecting users' data without their consent as such a practice constituted an abuse of its market power.
EU Commission warns Meta over Facebook Marketplace antitrust breach
The Commission said in a preliminary view that it would further investigate and that it could impose a fine of up to 10% of the company's annual global turnover, if there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of European Union rules.
Meta sought to settle EU antitrust investigations: sources
The EU competition enforcer launched an investigation into Facebook in June last year, focusing on whether the social network unfairly use advertisers' data to compete with them in the online classified ads sector.
EU antitrust regulators about to charge Meta, sources say
The Commission began an investigation into the social network company in June last year. Britain's competition agency also began an enquiry on the same day.
Big Tech, through a scanner wisely
The CCI has been adapting to the changes in the technology environment. Competition law needs to keep pace with digital business.
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