Google defends Digital Markets Act changes, cites complex trade-offs
Google defends Digital Markets Act changes, cites complex trade-offs
FILE PHOTO: On January 10, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States, during the annual consumer electronics trade exhibition, CES 2024, the Google house is visible with the Google logo. Steve Marcus/File Photo for REUTERS
BRUSSELS: According to a transcript of a top Google executive's speech seen by Reuters, Alphabet's Google will attempt to deflect criticism on Thursday on modifications to its core services required by historic EU digital regulations.
According to the letter, Google's EMEA competition team lawyer Oliver Bethell will inform authorities and competitors that the business has had to make difficult trade-offs in order to balance competing interests.
As per the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect on March 7, customers have the option to uninstall any pre-installed software or app from Google, but Google will require their approval to use their data for personalized adverts or across its numerous services.
According to the letter, Google's EMEA competition team lawyer Oliver Bethell will inform authorities and competitors that the business has had to make difficult trade-offs in order to balance competing interests.
As per the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect on March 7, customers have the option to uninstall any pre-installed software or app from Google, but Google will require their approval to use their data for personalized adverts or across its numerous services.
It is not permitted for Google to prioritize its offerings over those of its competitors on its platform.
The DMA seeks to provide consumers with additional options, level the playing field for smaller competitors, and restrain the dominance of Big Tech. The Act labels businesses like Google that manage platform access as gatekeepers.
Competitors ranging from travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants to comparison shopping websites have declared that Google's modifications violate the DMA and have called on the European Commission to take appropriate action. Google's search traffic results are considerably worse than they were before the revisions, according to some competitors.
Rewiring the company's search engine has been a balancing act, according to Bethell's statement.
The DMA seeks to provide consumers with additional options, level the playing field for smaller competitors, and restrain the dominance of Big Tech. The Act labels businesses like Google that manage platform access as gatekeepers.
Competitors ranging from travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants to comparison shopping websites have declared that Google's modifications violate the DMA and have called on the European Commission to take appropriate action. Google's search traffic results are considerably worse than they were before the revisions, according to some competitors.
Rewiring the company's search engine has been a balancing act, according to Bethell's statement.
Bethell will say, "We need to balance the new opportunities 6(11) is intended to create with the risk to user privacy and security," during a workshop hosted by the European Commission. The event is intended to provide competitors and other interested parties an opportunity to question the corporation. Six/11 alludes to a DMA piece.
According to Bethell, "The balance requires complex trade-offs" throughout the paper. "There is a question of when do we go too far by giving online search engines sensitive information at a high cost to users."
According to Bethell, the DMA was not the only modification that vertical search engines required.
"We have received requests for modifications from stakeholders that, in our opinion, would significantly harm Search for businesses and users in Europe, are not mandated by the DMA, and that we are unable to implement. He stated.
According to Bethell, "The balance requires complex trade-offs" throughout the paper. "There is a question of when do we go too far by giving online search engines sensitive information at a high cost to users."
According to Bethell, the DMA was not the only modification that vertical search engines required.
"We have received requests for modifications from stakeholders that, in our opinion, would significantly harm Search for businesses and users in Europe, are not mandated by the DMA, and that we are unable to implement. He stated.
"The DMA should not require a degraded search experience on Google for European consumers."
Additionally, Bethell made fun of other businesses that the DMA identified as gatekeepers and who have been under fire for their compliance initiatives.
"As we comply with the DMA, engage with the Commission, and listen to feedback from third parties, we expect the same from other gatekeepers too," he stated.
DMA violations can cost businesses up to 10% of their yearly worldwide revenue.
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