The EU must limit the power of tech companies. It must not give in to Trump’s attacks on the EU’s digital laws. Together with over 50 partners, we called on von der Leyen to do just that this week. It is a highly problematic sign that the EU Commission is apparently postponing a decision because of Google’s monopoly power in online advertising.
Our letter calls on the European Commission to press ahead with existing investigations under the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act and competition law. It should also consider further measures in response to the unprecedented US interference, including the use of the EU’s new, powerful anti-coercion tool. The Trump administration’s attacks on European regulation of tech companies in Europe are unacceptable.
> The full letter to EU Commission President von der Leyen (pdf)
EU Commission hesitates in Google proceedings
This makes it all the more problematic that the EU Commission is not resolutely concluding its proceedings against Google’s abuse of power. This week, it postponed a decision on Google’s monopoly power in online advertising. According to media reports, the EU only wants to impose a moderate fine on Google in the so-called Adtech proceedings and thus refrain from breaking up the company.
Google has abused its multiple monopoly position in the placement of online advertising for years. Google appropriates an outsized share of advertising revenue, thereby damaging the media and democracy. It is long overdue for this abuse of power to be effectively stopped. Conduct requirements for tech companies are difficult to control and can always be circumvented by new monopoly practices. Structural measures such as break ups are therefore necessary and appropriate. The EU Commission itself stated this in an interim result of its investigation.
> More background on the proceedings against Google
Minor remedies also in the USA
In the US, a US court has ruled that Google cannot be forced to sell its Chrome web browser or the Android mobile operating system. In its lawsuit, the US government had demanded that Google be split up.
The court had previously ruled that Google had an illegal monopoly with its search engine. According to the ruling, Google now only has to share data from its search engine with competitors. Even the contracts and money payments that Google’s services are preset as standard on many cell phones are not prevented. A very mild ruling that will do little to change Google’s monopoly power.
This is a setback in the battle against Big Tech. However, not everything has been decided. In a few weeks’ time, negotiations will begin in the USA on the remedies in a second monopoly case. This will also involve Google’s abuse of power in the mediation of online advertising. And the EU’s decision in the adtech proceedings has not yet been made. We still have time to exert pressure for an effective limitation of Google’s monopoly power.
> Sign our joint appeal with LobbyControl now: Break up Google!
