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.
The United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is reportedly moving to place Alphabet’s Google under formal federal supervision, according to a Washington Post report. This development comes after months of confidential talks, during which Google has strongly resisted the idea. If implemented, federal oversight would provide regulators with access to Google’s internal records, marking a significant step in regulatory scrutiny of the tech behemoth. The CFPB, which typically oversees financial firms, is now expanding its reach to include more tech companies, particularly those with extensive consumer data handling.
This move is yet another regulatory challenge for Google, which is already facing multiple legal hurdles. Current government actions include pressure for the company to divest parts of its operations and a court mandate to open up its mobile app store to competition. Antitrust lawsuits and investigations continue to question Google’s dominance in digital markets, pushing the company to defend its business practices amid mounting legal pressure.
Google, alongside Alphabet, declined to comment on the CFPB’s intentions. However, industry analysts note that increased federal oversight could lead to greater regulatory enforcement on how tech giants manage consumer data and financial operations. As regulatory measures tighten, Google may have to adopt new strategies to mitigate risks and comply with evolving US oversight regulations.
Google has rolled out Imagen 3, its advanced text-to-image generation model, directly within Google Docs. The tool allows users to create realistic or stylised images by simply typing prompts. Workspace customers with specific Gemini add-ons will be the first to access the feature, which is gradually being made available. The addition aims to help users enhance communication by generating customised images without tedious searches.
Imagen 3 initially faced setbacks due to historical inaccuracies in generated images, causing Google to delay its release. Following improvements, the feature launched quietly earlier this year and is now integrated into the Gemini platform. The company emphasises the tool’s ability to streamline creativity and simplify the visual content creation process.
Google has also introduced its Gemini app for iPhone users, following its February release on Android. The app boasts advanced features like Gemini Live in multiple languages and seamless integration of popular Google services such as Gmail, Calendar, and YouTube. Users can also access the powerful Imagen 3 tool within the app.
The Gemini app is designed as an AI-powered personal assistant, bringing innovation and convenience to mobile users globally. Google’s Brian Marquardt highlights the app’s capability to transform everyday tasks, offering users an intuitive and versatile digital companion.
Google has introduced its Gemini app on Apple’s App Store, offering a new voice-based feature named Gemini Live. Designed to enable natural conversations, the tool marks the latest step in the evolution of voice assistants. Apple’s plans to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Siri highlight growing competition in the field.
Gemini, initially launched as Bard in 2023, is Google’s response to ChatGPT by OpenAI. The app, now enhanced with features like Gemini Live, aims to support diverse tasks such as interview preparation, travel advice, and creative brainstorming. Its rollout follows an announcement in August, with Android users receiving early access.
The app showcases advances in AI-powered voice assistants that surpass previous iterations like Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant. Google retired its older Assistant, an eight-year-old product, earlier this year after layoffs within its Voice Assistant team. These changes are part of broader efforts to streamline operations.
Google has also restructured its AI efforts, merging the Gemini app team into DeepMind, its research lab. DeepMind focuses on improving AI capabilities while overcoming challenges associated with traditional model expansion. These developments position Google at the forefront of next-generation AI solutions.
Google has started rolling out its AI-powered Scam Detection feature for the Pixel Phone app, initially available only in the beta version for US users. First announced during Google I/O 2024, the feature uses onboard AI to help users identify potential scam calls. Currently, the update is accessible to Pixel 6 and newer models, with plans to expand to other Android devices in the future.
Scam Detection analyses the audio from incoming calls directly on the device, issuing alerts if suspicious activity is detected. For example, if a caller claims to be from a bank and pressures the recipient to transfer funds urgently, the app provides visual and audio warnings. The processing occurs locally on the phone, utilising the Pixel 9’s Gemini Nano chip or similar on-device machine learning models on earlier Pixel versions, ensuring no data is sent to the cloud.
This feature is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to tackle digital fraud, as the rise in generative AI has made scam calls more sophisticated. It joins the suite of security tools on the Pixel Phone app, including Call Screen, which uses a bot to screen calls before involving the user. Google’s localised approach aims to keep users’ information secure while enhancing their safety.
Currently, Scam Detection requires manual activation through the app’s settings, as it isn’t enabled by default. Google is seeking feedback from early adopters to refine the feature further before a wider release to other Android devices.
