Apart from Apple, the European Commission (EC) has issued a warning to Alphabet, Google’s parent company, regarding their non-compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) in two services that are considered Gatekeepers. These platforms, with a large user base, have the ability to limit access for competitors.
The first service is Google Search, where the EC specifies that Google prioritizes its own services such as shopping, hotel bookings, financial services, and sports competition results. This is seen as unfair treatment towards external websites.
The other service is Google Play, which deals with independent payment channels. It was found that Google imposed several restrictions, preventing app developers from offering payment or purchasing options that are cheaper outside of the app. This limits the freedom of choice for customers.
The EC states that this information is preliminary and does not conclude that Alphabet has violated the DMA. Further investigation by the EC will determine the next steps.
Google responded to the EC’s warning by stating that such guidelines would negatively affect businesses and users in Europe. It would hinder innovation, reduce security, and product quality. An example provided by Google relates to flight ticket searches, where users may not find the desired information, experience more difficulties navigating websites, and ultimately pay higher prices for flights. Concerning Google Play, it highlights an increased risk for users if there is no oversight.
TLDR: The European Commission warns Alphabet about potential non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act in Google Search and Google Play, stating that restrictions imposed by Google may harm businesses and users in Europe.
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