Several rival web browsers, including Vivaldi, Waterfox, and Wavebox, along with a web development advocacy group, have called on the European Commission to impose stricter antitrust regulations on Microsoft’s Edge browser. In a letter dated 17 September, the group argued that Edge, pre-installed on all Windows devices, is given an unfair distribution advantage, limiting competition. This follows a recent lawsuit by Opera, a Norwegian browser company, which challenged the Commission’s decision to exempt Edge from the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
DMA aims to stop dominant online platforms from restricting consumer choices by setting guidelines for ‘gatekeeper’ services. Rival browsers argue that Microsoft’s practice of making Edge the default browser on Windows undermines the spirit of the law. They contend that Edge’s pre-installed presence gives it an unfair advantage, making it harder for independent browsers to compete, especially as many users rely on Edge to download alternatives.
Neither Microsoft nor the European Commission has commented on the issue, but critics have pointed out that Edge’s pop-up messages often misrepresent the features of rival browsers. Despite these allegations, Microsoft Edge holds only a small portion of the global browser market, with just over 5%, while Google Chrome dominates with 66%.
Croatian startup AEOS, formerly known as AdScanner, has secured €10 million in a Series B investment round led by Taiwania Capital, with additional backing from existing investors. This funding follows significant revenue growth and product innovations that aim to redefine how advertisers reach audiences across both traditional television and streaming platforms.
Founded in 2012, AEOS has become a key player in the European TV advertising market, using data-driven technology to enhance campaign planning and audience measurement. Operating in Croatia, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, and Serbia, the company plans to use the new investment to accelerate growth and develop its product offerings, particularly in the AI space.
The funding will support the development of AI-driven tools that help advertisers optimise their campaigns across platforms. AEOS has already gained recognition for its Cockpit solution, offering near real-time analytics and bridging the gap between traditional broadcast media and digital streaming services.
In 2024, AEOS will launch its second-generation AI-based planning tool, designed to unify TV and streaming campaigns into one seamless ecosystem. The tool allows advertisers to plan, measure, and optimise their campaigns across multiple devices with greater accuracy than ever before.
The United Kingdom‘s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that Amazon’s $4 billion partnership with AI startup Anthropic will not be subject to a more in-depth investigation. The regulator determined that the deal did not raise competition concerns under Britain’s merger regulations.
Amazon expressed support for the CMA’s decision, noting that it acknowledged the regulator’s lack of jurisdiction over the collaboration. The CMA also cleared a similar partnership between Microsoft and Inflection AI, while a deal between Alphabet and Anthropic remains under review.
Anthropic, which was co-founded by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, former OpenAI executives, reiterated that its partnerships with major tech firms do not compromise its independence or governance. The startup has received billions in investments from several large companies.
Amid growing antitrust scrutiny of deals between startups and big tech firms, regulators are closely monitoring collaborations like those involving Anthropic and its partners.
A United States federal judge has dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit accusing eBay of violating environmental laws by allowing the sale of harmful products on its platform. The ruling cited Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from liability over user content.
The judge concluded that eBay’s administrative support for sellers did not make it liable for the unlawfulness of the products sold. She also ruled that eBay was not a ‘seller’ as it did not physically possess or hold title to the items in question.
The lawsuit accused eBay of enabling the sale of thousands of devices designed to evade vehicle emissions controls, unregistered pesticides, and products containing harmful chemicals. The government argued that this conduct violated several environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act.
eBay responded by stating its dedication to maintaining a trusted marketplace and promised to continue investing in measures to prevent the sale of prohibited items. The Justice Department declined to comment on the ruling.
Epic Games has accused Google and Samsung of conspiring to protect Google’s Play Store from competition through Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature. The gaming company plans to file a lawsuit in a United States court, alleging that the Auto Blocker, introduced in late 2023, deters users from downloading Android apps from sources outside Google’s Play Store or Samsung’s Galaxy Store.
Epic argues that Samsung’s Auto Blocker was made the default setting in mid-2024 to reduce the impact of a 2023 US court ruling that required Google to make it easier for users to access apps from alternative sources. Epic claims this action violates US antitrust laws by reducing consumer choice and stifling competition, which would otherwise drive down app prices.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, described the lawsuit as part of a larger global effort to defend competition and its benefits for consumers. The company also plans to raise these concerns with regulators in the European Union, which has scrutinised Google’s business practices in the past.
Epic previously sued Google in 2020, accusing the tech giant of maintaining an illegal monopoly over app distribution and payments. The lawsuit follows the verdict in that case, where a US court found Google had acted unlawfully.
Microsoft has updated its consumer AI assistant, Copilot, giving it a friendlier voice and the ability to analyse web pages while users browse. This enhancement is part of a broader initiative led by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, who noted that a diverse team of creative professionals, including psychologists and comedians, is refining Copilot’s tone and style to set it apart in the crowded AI market.
In a demonstration of the upgraded Copilot, the AI suggested a housewarming gift by recommending popular olive oils after engaging in a conversation about the user’s preferences. This update, which started rolling out on Tuesday, marks one of the initial efforts from Suleyman’s newly established division dedicated to consumer products and technology research.
Although Microsoft is well-known for its business software, it is encountering significant competition in the consumer market, particularly from Google’s search engine. Launched last year, Copilot seeks to attract more users with its improved voice capabilities, making interactions feel more engaging and responsive. New features for Copilot Pro subscribers, such as ‘Think Deeper,’ will enable users to assess their options, while the upcoming ‘Copilot Vision’ function will allow users to interact with content in their Microsoft Edge browser without retaining any data.
Suleyman envisions Copilot as a digital companion that continuously learns from users’ interactions across different Microsoft platforms, such as Word and Windows, with their consent. He noted that Bill Gates is excited about the AI’s capabilities, especially the potential for Copilot to read and parse emails, suggesting that these features are on the horizon.
Amazon has secured a partial victory in a US antitrust case brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The federal court ruled in favour of Amazon’s request to dismiss some of the claims, though others will proceed. The ruling, issued in Seattle, has not yet been fully disclosed.
The FTC initially accused Amazon of using unfair tactics to maintain its dominance in the online market. The lawsuit claimed Amazon’s algorithms raised prices, costing US households over $1 billion. The company has stated it ceased using the controversial pricing system in 2019.
Although the court granted some of Amazon’s requests, other parts of the case remain active. Judge John Chun ruled that the trial would proceed in two phases, separating evidence on violations and proposed remedies. The FTC continues to pursue remaining claims.
Amazon, along with other tech giants like Meta, Apple, and Google, is facing increased scrutiny from antitrust regulators. FTC Chair Lina Khan has been vocal in challenging Amazon’s practices, citing longstanding concerns about its market influence.
As Google‘s trial on allegations of monopolising the advertising technology market draws to a close, experts believe the financial risk to the tech giant is minimal. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a coalition of states accuse Google of illegally controlling the markets used by advertisers and publishers to buy and sell online ads. However, analysts point out that the ad tech business at the centre of the trial, Google Network, is declining and represents a smaller portion of the company’s overall revenue compared to its dominant search business.
In 2023, advertising made up over 75% of Google’s $307.4 billion revenue, though the Network division, which is central to the DOJ case, contributed just $31.4 billion. The DOJ is pushing for the divestiture of Google Ad Manager, but analysts believe that even if Google loses, the financial impact would be small, with revenue losses potentially under 10%. Google has defended itself by highlighting strong competition from other platforms, especially in mobile apps and streaming ads, which could undermine the DOJ’s argument.
The more significant worry for Google lies in the potential consequences of a ruling in favour of the DOJ, as it could facilitate easier transitions for advertisers and publishers between platforms. A successful case might establish a legal precedent that holds tech companies accountable for monopolistic practices. However, the overall impact will hinge on the trial’s outcome and the remedies the court proposes in the upcoming months.
Germany’s competition watchdog has designated Microsoft as a ‘company with paramount cross-market significance for competition,’ allowing for stronger regulatory actions against the tech giant. Andreas Mundt, head of the Bundeskartellamt, emphasised that Microsoft’s products are essential across various sectors, making its ecosystem more interconnected than ever.
This classification also extends to Apple, Google, and Meta, indicating that Microsoft will undergo heightened scrutiny and may face restrictions on anti-competitive practices. A spokesperson for Microsoft expressed the company’s commitment to promoting a competitive environment and working cooperatively with the Bundeskartellamt.
The designation follows antitrust charges against Microsoft by the European Commission in June, which accused the company of unfairly bundling its Teams app with the Office suite, putting rivals like Slack at a disadvantage. The German authority clarified that its increased oversight will apply to Microsoft as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual services or products.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reached a settlement with Mango DAO and Blockworks Foundation regarding the unregistered sale of MNGO tokens, which are classified as securities. The settlement also addresses charges against Mango Labs for functioning as an unregistered broker in connection with various crypto assets on the Mango Markets platform. The SEC’s complaint asserts that these entities deprived investors of crucial protections guaranteed by federal securities laws by avoiding necessary registration requirements.
The SEC reports that Mango DAO and Blockworks Foundation raised more than $70 million from unregistered sales of MNGO tokens beginning in August 2021, targeting investors globally, including those in the US. The agency alleges that Blockworks Foundation and Mango Labs operated as unregistered brokers by soliciting users to trade securities, offering investment advice, and facilitating transactions on the Mango Markets platform.
Jorge Tenreiro, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, emphasised that being labelled a decentralised autonomous organisation does not exempt entities from registration requirements. As part of the settlement, Mango DAO, Blockworks Foundation, and Mango Labs have agreed to pay nearly $700,000 in civil penalties, destroy their MNGO tokens, and stop soliciting trading for these tokens, pending court approval. The investigation and litigation were overseen by members of the SEC’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit.
