Amazon and Google hit with competition probe over fake reviews June 25, 2021 Amazon and Google have been hit with a competition probe in the UK over concerns they have not done enough to tackle fake reviews on their sites. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today opened a formal investigation into the tech platforms to examine whether they have broken consumer laws by taking insufficient action to [...]
EU opens competition probe into Google’s online advertising June 22, 2021 The EU has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Google over concerns the tech giant favours its own online advertising services. The probe will examine whether Google is harming competition by restricting third-party access to user data for use in advertising while reserving this data for its own use. “Online advertising services are at the [...]
Youtube handed major victory in EU copyright battle June 22, 2021 The EU has ruled that Youtube is not responsible for copyright-infringing material uploaded to its platform by users, marking a major victory for the social media firm. Music producer Frank Peterson took Youtube and parent company Google to court in Germany after users uploaded several phonograms to which he owns the rights in 2008. Publisher [...]
Google Campus closes in the end of an era for London tech startups June 22, 2021 Google has decided not to reopen its London campus for startups, which formed part of the capital’s mini–Silicon Valley, saying it will offer services online. The coronavirus pandemic and working from home has likely swayed the decision to shut the seven-storey East London campus. “This shift demonstrated that, similar to the support we provide in [...]
European Commission to probe Google’s €123bn digital advertising business June 18, 2021 Google has entered hot advertising waters again as EU antitrust regulators are set to open another probe against the tech giant, according to reports. European Commission investigators will look into digital advertising practices at Google, owned by parent company Alphabet. The move is likely to come before the end of the year, which could threaten [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? June 16, 2021 City A.M.‘s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. CBRE board bags ex-BlackRock real estate lead A former head of global real estate at investment heavyweight BlackRock is set to join real estate services firm CBRE in June. Marcus Sperber [...]
Lina Khan: How America’s answer to Margrethe Vestager plans to take on Big Tech June 16, 2021 Since taking over as European Commissioner for Competition in 2014, Margrethe Vestager has made her mission clear: to crack down on the ballooning power of Big Tech. The ruthless competition czar has undoubtedly delivered on those ambitions, handing down high-profile fines running into the tens of billions of euros against the likes of Facebook, Apple, [...]
Apple and Google under scrutiny from regulator over smartphone dominance June 15, 2021 Apple and Google are facing an investigation by UK competition authorities over concerns their dominance in the smartphone market is harming consumers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today said it will examine whether the companies’ “effective duopoly” over the supply of operating systems, app stores and web browsers should be curbed. The market study [...]
City watchdog vows Big Tech crackdown over scam adverts June 15, 2021 The City watchdog has pledged to use post-Brexit powers to crack down on tech giants such as Google over online fraud. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned platforms they must do more to block scam adverts following a surge in cases during the pandemic. The regulator added it would not hesitate to take tough [...]
UK to roll out new TV streaming rules in boost for broadcasters June 14, 2021 The government is said to be preparing new rules that would force tech firms such as Amazon and Samsung to give greater prominence to public broadcasters. Legislation being finalised by Whitehall officials will guarantee that public service broadcasters (PSB) such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are easy to access on smart TVs, the [...]