european commission

European regulators have given Google more time to fix its antitrust issues. The european commission found Google's initial solutions not strong enough. The investigation focuses on Google's Digital Markets Act compliance. Concerns include unfair service prioritization and AI model training. Adtech practices are also under scrutiny. Penalties for violations can be severe.

Google's top scientist Sergei Vassilvitskii is reportedly furious with the EU's proposal to share search data with rivals, warning it risks exposing private user information. He claims their 'red team' can break the EU's anonymization scheme in under two hours, raising serious privacy and security concerns. Regulators will decide by July 27.

The EU is preparing a "Tech Sovereignty Package" to reduce reliance on foreign cloud providers for sensitive government data. New rules will mandate European cloud infrastructure for critical sectors, limiting US tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. This move aims to bolster European digital control amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Apple has surprisingly sided with Google, cautioning the EU against forcing Android to open up to rival AI services. The tech giant argues the proposed Digital Markets Act measures are rushed, risky, and could compromise user privacy and security. Apple fears this could set a dangerous precedent, impacting its own iOS system next.

The European Union is urging member states to steer clear of telecom equipment from Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE, citing cybersecurity concerns. This recommendation, part of a broader strategy to bolster network security, could lead to restrictions or bans on 'high-risk' suppliers. While not an immediate mandate, it signals a significant shift in the EU's approach to critical infrastructure.

The EU is considering new rules to limit children's social media access, with potential proposals coming this summer. An expert panel will report by July on steps to protect minors online, including a possible ban.

The EU has warned Meta that its safeguards are insufficient to prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram. Regulators found that Meta's efforts to identify and remove underage users are inadequate, potentially leading to fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover if violations are confirmed.

A ceasefire between the US and Iran is reportedly still in place despite an Iranian attack on US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US retaliatory strikes. Both sides accuse the other of initiating the exchange, threatening a fragile truce that ended weeks of conflict. Tensions remain high as negotiations continue.

Major European media companies are urging EU officials to reconsider a new law. They fear the Digital Fairness Act, aimed at online consumer protection, could unintentionally damage their businesses. The companies argue that existing regulations already cover their operations. They want the focus to be on large tech firms where responsibility gaps exist, not on established media sectors.

Salesforce and Slack have filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in London, accusing the tech giant of anti-competitive behavior by bundling its Teams app with Office. This follows similar complaints in Europe and an ongoing FTC probe in the US into Microsoft's alleged market dominance. Rivals like Google also criticize Microsoft's practices, though Microsoft defends its business model.

In a landmark decision, the European Union has greenlit an impressive €90 billion loan to Ukraine alongside a new wave of sanctions targeting Russia, effectively breaking a prolonged deadlock. This vital financial support, designated for military and fiscal stability, follows Hungary and Slovakia's recent agreement to resume oil flows through a major pipeline.

The european commission has mandated Google to share its search data, including AI chatbot information, with third-party search engines to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Google opposes this, citing privacy concerns and vowing to fight the "overreaching" measures. The EU aims to foster competition by enabling other search services to optimize their offerings.