The UK’s antitrust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has accused Google of abusing its dominant position in digital advertising, restricting competition in the sector. According to the CMA, Google’s practices, which allegedly favour its ad exchange platform, have hurt British publishers and advertisers, impacting their ability to generate revenue through digital ads. The regulator’s provisional findings suggest that Google has been using its influence in the advertising market’s buying and selling sides since 2015.
The CMA highlighted the potential harm these practices could cause businesses relying on online ads to fund their websites and apps, reaching millions across the UK. Juliette Enser, interim executive director of enforcement, stressed that this anti-competitive behaviour undermines free or lower-cost digital content. In response, Google disagreed with the CMA’s conclusions, arguing that its advertising tools support businesses of all sizes in a highly competitive industry.
The issue is part of a larger global scrutiny of Google’s advertising practices, with similar investigations underway by the US Department of Justice and the European Commission. In 2023, the EU regulators even suggested that Google might need to sell parts of its adtech business, though the company dismissed this idea as disproportionate. The CMA is now set to review Google’s response before deciding on possible fines or other legal actions to end the infringement.
Latvia’s central bank has announced that is offering free pre-licensing consultations for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) to ensure they are well-prepared for the phased implementation of MiCA across the EU. These consultations will provide comprehensive guidance on regulatory requirements, necessary documentation, and initial compliance assessments, aiding companies in navigating the complex regulatory landscape.
Starting from January 2025, the central bank will accept applications and issue licences for CASPs in accordance with MiCA. In the meantime, unlimited pre-licensing consultations will be available, reflecting the bank’s commitment to fostering a robust and compliant crypto-asset ecosystem.
This proactive measure forms part of Latvia’s broader strategy to position itself as an attractive location for CASPs within the EU. Latvia’s efforts are further highlighted by its introduction of the “Crypto Asset Services Law” and substantial financial commitments toward digitalisation and innovation, underscoring its ambition to become a hub for blockchain and crypto companies.
Latvia is following a trend seen in other EU countries, such as France, which has also begun accepting CASP applications ahead of the official enforcement date. These proactive steps by EU nations underscore the importance of regulatory preparedness in the evolving crypto landscape, positioning themselves as favourable destinations for crypto-asset service providers.
A US federal judge has rejected Coinbase’s attempt to dismiss a class-action lawsuit from shareholders. The lawsuit claims that Coinbase, the largest US cryptocurrency exchange, misled investors by downplaying the chances of facing legal action from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The ruling comes 15 months after the SEC sued Coinbase for allegedly operating as an unregistered securities exchange, leading to a significant drop in the company’s stock price.
The shareholders argue that Coinbase and its top executives falsely portrayed the company’s position, emphasising that the crypto assets it listed were not securities and thus unlikely to attract regulatory action. Additionally, they allege that the company misled investors about the risks customers faced regarding their assets in the event of bankruptcy. Coinbase’s share price fell sharply after revealing disappointing earnings and adding new disclosures in May 2022.
While the judge dismissed claims that Coinbase falsely denied engaging in proprietary trading, some allegations can proceed, including those about misrepresenting risks to customer assets. Coinbase remains confident in its legal standing and is prepared to defend its case in court.
Google’s refusal to include Enel’s e-mobility app, JuicePass, on its Android Auto platform may violate competition rules, according to an adviser to Europe’s top court. The Italian antitrust authority previously fined Google €102 million ($113.2 million) in 2021 for blocking the app, which helps drivers navigate and manage messages from their dashboards.
Court Advocate General Laila Medina supported Italy’s stance, arguing that Google’s actions could breach competition laws by unfairly excluding third-party apps and harming consumers. Google had cited security concerns and the lack of a specific template for the app, but it has since taken steps to address these issues, adding the necessary template for compatibility with Android Auto.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will make the final decision, which is expected to rule in the coming months. Google has stated it is working to resolve the issue and is already offering similar apps globally on Android Auto.
European Union regulators will gather feedback next week on Google’s latest proposals to comply with competition rules aimed at curbing the dominance of Big Tech. The process could determine whether formal charges will be brought against the company.
The European Commission initiated an investigation in March to examine whether Google unfairly favours its own vertical search services, including Google Shopping, Flights, and Hotels, over rivals. Competitors have raised concerns that Google has not fully complied with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which seeks to level the playing field for smaller competitors.
In response, Google has offered a proposal that would display a separate box for competitors below its product listings in search results. It also suggested adding two adjacent boxes to show intermediaries alongside direct suppliers like airlines and hotels. Regulators will hold workshops in September to hear from stakeholders, though Google will not participate.
Failure to address the regulators’ concerns could result in formal charges and a potential fine of up to 10% of Google’s global annual turnover. Google stated that it will continue to engage with the European Commission and the industry in the coming months.
Robinhood’s cryptocurrency platform has agreed to pay $3.9 million to settle claims it blocked customers from withdrawing crypto assets between 2018 and 2022. The California Attorney General’s office announced that Robinhood Crypto had violated state laws by preventing customers from accessing cryptocurrencies they had purchased, forcing them to sell their assets to leave the platform.
The platform was also accused of misleading customers regarding where their assets were held and falsely advertising competitive pricing through multiple trading venues. As part of the settlement, Robinhood will allow customers to withdraw their crypto assets to personal wallets and honour its commitments regarding trading practices.
Robinhood did not admit wrongdoing but expressed satisfaction with the settlement. The company aims to make cryptocurrency more accessible and affordable, according to a statement from its general counsel.
California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasised that the settlement serves as a warning that all companies, including those in the cryptocurrency space, must comply with consumer protection laws. Robinhood shares rose slightly after the news.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone have united in a call to action for European policymakers to enhance digital competitiveness through advanced connectivity and digitalisation. They argue that achieving a true Digital Single Market is essential for fostering innovation and ensuring Europe can compete globally. The following initiative emphasises the need for coherent implementation of existing regulations and the avoidance of unnecessary regulatory burdens that could hinder the rapid deployment of digital infrastructure.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone highlight the importance of incentivising investment in advanced connectivity solutions, such as 5G and future 6G technologies. They stress that a modernised regulatory framework is crucial for maintaining healthy telecom operators capable of making substantial investments in infrastructure. This includes advocating for longer spectrum licenses and harmonised rules across the EU member states, facilitating a more robust telecommunications landscape.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone also propose that policymakers differentiate between business-to-business (B2B) and consumer-facing technologies when crafting regulations. Tailoring regulations to these sectors’ specific needs and operational structures will help create a more level playing field and address market failures effectively. This distinction is vital for fostering an environment where trusted companies can thrive and innovate.
Ericsson, Nokia, and Vodafone highlight the need for Europe to prepare for emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI. They advocate for policies encouraging experimentation and attracting private investment, ensuring Europe can leverage these advancements while addressing security challenges.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared Microsoft’s partnership with Inflection AI and the hiring of some of its former staff, determining that the deal does not warrant further investigation. The CMA initiated a probe in July to assess potential competition concerns, given that both companies are involved in developing consumer chatbots.
The regulator concluded that Inflection AI held only a small share of UK users for chatbots and AI tools before the acquisition and needed more capacity to expand its user base significantly. This limited influence alleviated concerns about the deal’s impact on competition.
Earlier this year, Microsoft hired Mustafa Suleyman, a co-founder of Google, to lead its new AI division, along with several employees from Inflection, which he founded in 2022. Reports suggest that Microsoft paid approximately $650 million in the deal, which granted them access to Inflection’s AI models and allowed the startup to repay its investors, including prominent figures like Bill Gates and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Two US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) leaders are urging the agency to investigate e-commerce giants Shein and Temu after dangerous baby and toddler products were found on their websites. CPSC Commissioners Peter Feldman and Douglas Dziak have expressed concerns about how these foreign-owned platforms, based in Singapore and China, comply with US safety regulations, manage relationships with third-party sellers, and represent imported goods.
Shein and Temu, known for shipping low-cost products from China to the US, are particularly concerning due to their reliance on the ‘de minimis’ rule. This rule allows packages valued at $800 or less to bypass tariffs when sent directly to consumers, which is a loophole critics argue has contributed to their rapid success in the US market.
The scrutiny of Shein and Temu isn’t new; their low prices and product quality have been questioned before. Last year, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers proposed eliminating the de minimis rule, which is widely used by these platforms and third-party sellers on major sites like Amazon and Walmart.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Google have introduced new regulations to enhance user security and reduce spam. These changes are particularly significant for mobile users in India, focusing on improving the safety of online transactions and the quality of applications available for download. By implementing these measures, TRAI and Google are taking proactive steps to safeguard digital interactions, ensuring users can navigate their smartphones with greater confidence and security.
A key component of this initiative is TRAI’s new directive to combat spam calls and fraudulent messages. That regulation requires telecom operators to block unregistered numbers immediately, which is intended to protect users from scams. However, this measure may delay receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) during online transactions, as institutions like banks must register and allow their numbers to continue sending OTPs without interruption. While this could cause minor inconveniences, it is a crucial step toward preventing fraudulent activities and enhancing overall security for users.
In conjunction with TRAI’s efforts, Google has ramped up its policies to remove low-quality and potentially harmful apps from its Play Store. The following initiative aims to mitigate risks associated with malware and ensure that only trustworthy applications are accessible to users. By eliminating these problematic apps, Google creates a safer environment for users to download and use applications without compromising their personal information. The crackdown on low-quality apps is expected to significantly reduce the risk of malware, providing a more secure digital experience for all users.
