Connect with us

Latest News

DuckDuckGo Urges EU to Launch New Investigations into Google’s Compliance with Tech Rules!

Published

on

DuckDuckGo Urges EU to Launch New Investigations into Google's Compliance with Tech Rules

Alphabet’s Google is under renewed scrutiny as DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused search engine, has called for additional investigations into the tech giant’s compliance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This landmark regulation, adopted in 2022, aims to curb the dominance of Big Tech by enforcing fair competition and enhancing user choice.

Background on DuckDuckGo’s Position

DuckDuckGo, which held a global market share of 0.54% in January 2024 according to Statista, is advocating for the European Commission to initiate three new probes, arguing that Google’s practices continue to undermine the DMA’s intent. In a blog post, Kamyl Bazbaz, DuckDuckGo’s Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, emphasized that the DMA has yet to fully impact the search market in the EU, stating:

“We believe launching formal investigations is the only way to force Google into compliance.”

Existing and Proposed Investigations

Google is already the focus of two ongoing investigations under the DMA. These include:

  • Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices: Investigations into practices within its Google Play app store.
  • Discrimination Against Third-Party Services: Concerns regarding potential bias against rival services in Google search results.

Specific Areas for New Probes

DuckDuckGo has called for additional probes into three specific areas:

  • Search Data Sharing: DuckDuckGo criticizes Google’s proposal to license anonymized search data to rivals as insufficient. Bazbaz argues that this data set excludes approximately 99% of search queries, rendering it ineffective for competitors aiming to improve their services.
  • Ease of Switching: DuckDuckGo alleges that Google fails to meet the DMA’s requirement to allow users to easily switch to rival search engines, which is crucial for fostering competition.
  • Privacy Concerns: Bazbaz accused Google of using privacy as a pretext to withhold critical data from competitors, describing this move as ironic coming from “the Internet’s biggest tracker.”

Google’s Response

In response to these allegations, a Google spokesperson defended the company’s efforts to comply with the DMA. They highlighted significant changes made to its products aimed at providing consumers and businesses with more choices. The spokesperson stated:

“We will not compromise users’ trust in order to give competitors more access to sensitive data.”

This statement reflects Google’s commitment to maintaining user privacy while navigating regulatory requirements.

EU Commission’s Stance

The European Commission declined to comment specifically on DuckDuckGo’s allegations but reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the DMA effectively. The Commission has been actively monitoring compliance among designated gatekeepers like Google.

Potential Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with the DMA could result in hefty fines for Google, amounting to as much as 10% of a company’s global annual revenue. Given Google’s vast scale, this could translate into billions of dollars in penalties.

Implications for the Digital Market

As pressure mounts on Google, the outcome of these investigations could reshape the competitive landscape of the EU’s digital market. The results may set a precedent for how Big Tech firms operate under the DMA’s watchful eye and influence future regulatory actions across other jurisdictions.

Broader Impact on Competition

The enforcement of the DMA is expected to promote fairer competition and enhance user choice in digital markets. If successful, it could lead to increased innovation and better services from smaller competitors who have struggled against Google’s dominance.

Conclusion

DuckDuckGo’s call for further investigations into Google’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act underscores ongoing concerns about monopolistic practices in the tech industry. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, both Google and other tech giants will need to navigate these challenges carefully while adapting their business practices to align with new legal frameworks aimed at promoting fair competition and protecting consumer interests. The developments in this area will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and regulators alike as they work towards a more equitable digital marketplace.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. bonus di registrazione binance

    February 20, 2025 at 3:13 am

    Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!

  2. binance

    March 11, 2025 at 2:40 pm

    I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Dunzo Gets Breather as NCLT Rejects Insolvency Petition from Invoice Discounters

Published

on

Dunzo

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Bengaluru bench has dismissed an insolvency plea filed against quick commerce startup Dunzo by its invoice discounters, declaring the petition “not maintainable” after several postponements. This decision offers temporary relief to Dunzo, which has been facing multiple insolvency petitions from various creditors, including Velvin Packaging Solutions and Betterplace Safety Solutions, over unpaid dues.

The invoice discounters alleged that Dunzo had paid only 50% of the required amounts, though the exact sum was not disclosed. Despite ongoing settlement talks, no resolution was reached, and the tribunal noted Dunzo’s delays in responding to creditor petitions. Dunzo continues to grapple with severe liquidity issues, delayed payments, and significant losses—reporting a ₹1,801.8 crore loss in FY23 and owing approximately ₹11.4 crore to major vendors like Google India and Facebook India.

While this NCLT ruling provides Dunzo some breathing room, the company still faces ongoing financial and operational challenges as it works to resolve its outstanding liabilities.

Continue Reading

Latest News

How a Golden Retriever Became the Heart and Soul of a Hyderabad Startup’s Workplace

Published

on

Golden Retriever in workplace

Hyderabad-based startup Harvesting Robotics has won hearts online by appointing a golden retriever named Denver as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). Denver, introduced by co-founder Rahul Arepaka in a viral LinkedIn post, has quickly become the star of the office, spreading joy and boosting morale among employees. The company is now officially pet-friendly, a move Arepaka calls their “best decision.”

Denver’s new role has sparked widespread attention, with thousands liking and commenting on the announcement. Many see Denver’s presence as more than just a cute story—it highlights a growing trend of pet-friendly workplaces that prioritize employee well-being and happiness. As companies increasingly focus on holistic wellness, Denver’s appointment shows that sometimes, a wagging tail is the best way to brighten the workday.

Continue Reading

Inverstors Stories

Info Edge Shareholders Approve ₹1,000 Crore Investment in New Venture Fund

Published

on

Info Edge

Info Edge (India) Ltd shareholders have overwhelmingly approved an investment of up to ₹1,000 crore in the company’s third venture capital fund, Info Edge Ventures Fund III. The proposal received near-unanimous backing, with 99.9995% of valid votes in favor out of 1,274 participants.

Smartweb Internet Services Ltd, a wholly owned Info Edge subsidiary, will act as sponsor and investment manager for the new fund. This move strengthens Info Edge’s commitment to backing early-stage startups and expanding its footprint in India’s venture capital landscape.

Info Edge has a strong track record as an early investor in leading Indian startups like Zomato and PB Fintech, with combined holdings in these firms valued at ₹31,500 crore ($3.7 billion) as of March 31, 2025.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement