Google has announced further changes to its search results in Europe in response to complaints from smaller competitors and looming EU antitrust charges under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The tech giant has faced criticism from price-comparison sites, hotels, and small retailers over a 30% drop in direct booking clicks caused by earlier search tweaks.
The DMA, introduced last year to curb Big Tech dominance, prohibits Google from favouring its services. To comply, Google plans to offer expanded and uniformly formatted options for users to choose between comparison sites and supplier websites, along with new ad formats and tools for competitors to display prices and images.
As part of a test in Germany, Belgium, and Estonia, Google will temporarily remove hotel location maps and associated results to assess user interest in a simpler “ten blue links” layout. While reluctant to cut features, Google says these measures aim to strike a balance between user needs and regulatory requirements.
The European Commission has been scrutinising Google since March, with DMA violations carrying potential fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue. Google’s compliance efforts reflect its attempt to navigate the demands of regulators and rival businesses while maintaining its services’ usability.
Apple and Google face growing scrutiny in the UK over allegations of stifling competition in mobile web browsers. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) claims that both companies use their dominant positions to restrict consumer choice, citing Apple’s limits on progressive web apps as a barrier to innovation on iOS devices. Progressive web apps could bypass app stores and their fees, offering faster and more secure browsing.
The CMA’s report also points to a revenue-sharing deal between Apple and Google that discourages competition in mobile ecosystems. Both companies have responded, with Apple defending its privacy and security measures and Google emphasising the openness of its Android platform.
This investigation is part of a broader crackdown on Big Tech, with regulators in the US and UK aiming to curb monopolistic practices. The CMA plans to finalise its report in March and use upcoming digital competition laws to address these concerns.
OpenAI is reportedly considering developing a web browser integrated with its chatbot and is in talks to enhance search features for platforms like Conde Nast, Redfin, and Priceline, according to The Information. These moves could position OpenAI as a competitor to Google in both the browser and search markets, further challenging the tech giant’s dominance.
OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, has already dipped into the search market with SearchGPT and has explored AI-powered collaborations with Samsung, a key Google partner, and Apple for its “Apple Intelligence” features. Meanwhile, Google faces increasing pressure, with the US Department of Justice suggesting it divest its Chrome browser to curb its search monopoly.
Although OpenAI’s browser plans remain in the early stages, the potential competition highlights a shift in the AI landscape, with Google and OpenAI vying to lead the generative AI race. Alphabet shares fell sharply following the report, reflecting market concerns about Google’s ability to maintain its stronghold.
US prosecutors have urged a federal judge to impose sweeping changes on Google to dismantle its alleged monopoly on online search and advertising. Proposed remedies include forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser, share search data with competitors, and possibly divest its Android operating system. These measures could remain in place for up to a decade, overseen by a court-appointed technical committee.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and state antitrust enforcers argued that Google’s dominance, with a 90% share of US searches, has stifled competition by controlling critical distribution channels. The DOJ aims to end deals where Google pays companies like Apple billions annually to make its search engine the default on their devices. Prosecutors also want restrictions on Google’s acquisitions in search, AI, and advertising technology, as well as provisions for websites to opt out of training Google’s AI systems.
Google has called the proposals extreme, warning they would harm consumers and the economy. Alphabet’s legal chief, Kent Walker, said the measures represent “unprecedented government overreach.” Google will present alternative proposals in December, while a trial to decide the remedies is scheduled for April.
If implemented, the proposals could reshape the tech landscape, lowering barriers for competitors like DuckDuckGo. The case highlights broader global efforts to curb the power of tech giants and promote fair competition.
Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo has urged the European Commission to launch three new investigations into Google’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). DuckDuckGo argues that the rules, designed to curb Big Tech dominance, have not yet delivered meaningful change in the search market.
The Digital Markets Act, adopted in 2022, requires major tech firms to ensure users can switch services easily and prohibits practices that favour their own products. DuckDuckGo’s senior vice-president, Kamyl Bazbaz, claimed in a blog post that Google’s measures fall short of the law’s requirements, calling for formal probes to drive compliance.
Google is already under two DMA-related investigations concerning its app store rules and alleged discrimination against third-party services. A spokesperson for the company stated that Google is cooperating with the Commission and has made significant adjustments to its services. They emphasised consumer choice and data protection as key priorities while rejecting claims of non-compliance.
DuckDuckGo also accused Google of proposing to share anonymised search data with competitors that excludes the vast majority of search queries, rendering it ineffective. Additional allegations include failing to make switching search engines straightforward. Companies breaching the DMA could face fines up to 10% of their global annual revenue.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly pushing for Alphabet’s Google to divest its Chrome browser, escalating efforts to curb the company’s alleged monopolistic practices in digital markets. This follows a prior ruling that Google illegally dominated the search market. The DOJ also plans to address Google’s control over AI and the Android operating system.
Google, which commands two-thirds of the global browser market, denies the claims, arguing that its success stems from user preference and robust competition. It also criticises the DOJ’s proposals as extreme and potentially harmful to consumers. Prosecutors have suggested a range of remedies, including ending exclusive search agreements with companies like Apple or enforcing Chrome’s divestiture if market competition does not improve.
A trial to finalise the remedies is set for April, with a ruling expected by August 2025. Google intends to appeal any decision to divest Chrome, citing the browser’s integral role in its ad revenue and user experience.
Perplexity, an AI-driven search startup, has unveiled a new shopping hub to attract users and compete with Google’s dominance in search. Backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Nvidia, the platform offers visually rich product cards in response to shopping-related queries, integrating with platforms like Shopify to provide real-time product details.
The rollout includes features like ‘Snap to Shop,’ which uses photos to suggest products and a Merchant Program that allows retailers to share their offerings with Perplexity. Initially available in the US, the service will expand to other markets at a later date.
This move comes as Perplexity raises new investments at a reported $9 billion valuation and seeks to compete with OpenAI, which recently introduced enhanced search features for ChatGPT. The startup aims to leverage AI-powered tools to boost its presence in e-commerce and attract both users and merchants.
Samsung has teamed up with Google and Qualcomm to develop advanced AI-powered smart glasses, set for release in Q3 2025. Initial production will feature 500,000 units, targeting a competitive edge over existing options like Meta’s and Ray-Ban’s smart glasses. Equipped with AI and augmented reality (AR) technologies, the glasses promise enhanced interactivity and user experiences.
The device boasts Qualcomm’s AR1 chip for performance and NXP’s auxiliary processor for added computing. High-resolution imaging is ensured with a 12MP Sony IMX681 camera, supporting superior video and image capture. Lightweight at 50 grams, it offers features like gesture and human recognition, QR-based payments, and extended use powered by a 155mAh battery.
Google’s Gemini large language model will integrate into the software, delivering smarter user interactions and contextual understanding. Samsung disclosed the development during its earnings report, with analysts expecting a possible showcase at the January Galaxy Unpacked event, alongside the Galaxy S25.
Market excitement grows as Samsung enters the competitive smart glasses arena, setting a high standard for innovation and functionality. Observers anticipate a significant shift in wearable technology driven by AI and AR advancements.
François Chollet, a prominent AI figure and creator of the popular Keras API, announced his departure from Google after nearly ten years. In a post on X, Chollet shared that he will be starting a new venture with a friend, but details remain undisclosed. Reflecting on his time at Google, he highlighted the transformation of deep learning from a niche academic interest to a global industry.
Keras, developed by Chollet, has become a widely used tool in AI, with over two million users. It powers advanced technologies like Waymo’s autonomous vehicles and the recommendation engines of platforms such as YouTube and Netflix. Beyond Keras, Chollet’s work on the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC) benchmark and the ongoing $1 million ARC Prize reflects his innovative contributions to AI research.
Chollet has consistently voiced concerns about the dominant approaches in AI development, advocating for models that reason more like humans, rather than simply relying on vast amounts of data. Even after his departure, he will continue contributing to Keras, while Jeff Carpenter will take over as the team lead. Chollet’s vision remains focused on developing AI as a tool to advance human knowledge.
Governments across Africa should increase the protection of fibre optic cables from theft and vandalism, while also aligning regulations to boost tech infrastructure development, according to a Google executive. Charles Murito, Google’s head of government relations and public policy in Africa, emphasised the need to classify fibre cables as critical infrastructure, which would ensure severe consequences for those who damage them. Theft and vandalism targeting batteries, generators, and cables have driven up costs for infrastructure providers.
Murito, speaking at the Africa Tech conference, highlighted Google’s investments in subsea cables, including Equiano, connecting Africa with Europe, and the upcoming Umoja cable linking Africa and Australia. He stressed that better protections and regulatory harmonisation could make the continent more appealing to tech investors. Industry leaders agree that such measures are essential to encouraging business expansion in Africa.
Additionally, Murito has called for more infrastructure sharing among internet service providers to reduce data costs. The diverse regulations across African nations concerning permissions for cable installations hinder the expansion of fibre networks. Although South Africa‘s authorities have acknowledged the issue, urging law enforcement to act and proposing legal updates, fibre optic cables have yet to receive a new critical classification.
