About: Antitrust

Germany’s competition authority takes aim at Google Maps
The German Federal Cartel Office initiated new anti-trust proceedings against US digital giant Google because its mapping application, Google Maps, cannot be combined with other map services.
EU court dismisses Commission’s €1 billion antitrust fine against Qualcomm
The European General Court has ruled to dismiss a €1 billion antitrust fine filed by the Commission against American chipmaker Qualcomm, marking another major defeat for the EU antitrust regulator. The European Commission initiated a formal investigation on Qualcomm in...
European Commission takes aim at Apple Pay in antitrust probe
The European Commission sent Apple on Monday (2 May) the preliminary findings of a competition investigation into its mobile payment system, Apple Pay, suggesting that the US tech giant had "unfairly shielded" its system from competitors and therefore stifled innovation.
Gazprom offices targeted in EU antitrust raids
Russian gas company Gazprom's offices in Germany were raided by EU antitrust regulators, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday (30 March), as the EU watchdog ramped up its investigation into the company's gas supplies to Europe.
Meta fined £1.5 million for breaching Giphy acquisition enforcement order
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Meta £1.5 million for failing to give the watchdog advance warning of the departure of high-level staff, something it had agreed to do under the terms of an earlier order related to its acquisition of Giphy.
Google proposes measures addressing German antitrust body’s concerns
Google has proposed measures on Wednesday (12 January) to address concerns raised by the German antitrust authority in the ongoing case regarding the Google News Showcase platform. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Brussels praises Italy for fining Amazon €1.1 billion in antritrust case
The Italian antitrust body has slapped a €1.128 billion fine on Amazon after finding that the US giant holds a position of absolute dominance in the Italian e-commerce market, which has allowed it to favour its own logistics service. The European Commission has already praised Italy's move, while Amazon said it would appeal the decision
France debates merger that would lead to media colossus
The announcement that France's two leading television groups, TF1 and M6, would merge to face US giants like Netflix or Amazon Prime is raising major concerns about competition and media ownership being concentrated among just a few players in the country. EURACTIV France reports.
EU Court confirms €2.4bn fine against Google for market abuse
In a major victory for the EU's competition regulator, a judgement by the EU General Court has confirmed the European Commission’s sanctions against Google for self-promoting its shopping service.
GAFA targeted by both the US and EU ahead of tech and trade meeting
The United States and European Union plan to take a more unified approach to limit the growing market power of Big Tech companies, according to a leaked draft memo. The move will be among announcements on tech, climate, trade and...
Digital Brief powered by Facebook: Nvidia seeks clearance, Germany’s conflicting views, DMA & DSA Council updates
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “We are working through the regulatory process and we look forward to engaging with the European Commission to address...
Nvidia requests Commission’s clearance on acquisition of Arm
Computing tech giant Nvidia officially notified the European Commission on Wednesday (8 September) about its intention to acquire UK-based Arms, a Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.
Germany fears EU digital law might loosen its antitrust grip on tech giants
German competition authorities have piled pressure on American tech giants since new rules came into force in January. However, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) currently being discussed at EU level may supersede the section of the German law that targets big tech. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Digital Brief, powered by FACEBOOK: Slovenia’s digital agenda, recovery plans falling short, Google sanctioned
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “We want to promote the EU digital agenda, to contribute to its success especially on the regulatory side. We...
Google to change global advertising practices in landmark antitrust deal
Google said it would make changes to its global advertising business to ensure it did not abuse its dominance, bowing to antitrust pressure for the first time in a landmark settlement with French authorities.
Manufacturers urged to remove pre-installed apps on new phones
As the EU debates its Digital Markets Act, calls have grown louder for manufacturers to remove all applications pre-installed on new phones in order to combat the oligopoly of "gatekeepers" such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft. EURACTIV France reports.
Digital Brief: Digital vulnerabilities, no Horizon for Europe, Trump ban
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “The real industrial revolution is starting now – provided we make the right investments in key technologies and set...
Digital Brief: Apple scrutinised, TERREG approved, ePrivacy derogated
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “By setting strict rules on the App store that disadvantage competing music streaming services, Apple deprives users of cheaper...
Google’s advertising practices targeted by EU antitrust probe
EU antitrust regulators have sought information from advertisers regarding Google's advertising technology practices, a European Commission document seen by Reuters shows.
Commission has never evaluated ‘deterrence effect’ of antitrust fines, auditors say
EU auditors have questioned the effectiveness of antitrust fines dished out by the European Commission, as part of a landmark audit of the EU executive's role as an enforcer of competition rules.
Vestager: Amazon has illegally abused market position with Big Data tactics
Amazon has violated EU antitrust rules in its use of non-public merchant data, cementing the platform's dominance in the eCommerce market and marginalizing third-party sellers, the European Commission's Vice President for Digital, Margrethe Vestager, has said.
Vestager calls for EU-US ‘common vision’ on platform competition policy
Worldwide jurisdictions and particularly the EU and the US should formulate "common visions" on how best to regulate competition in the platform economy, the Commission's digital chief Margrethe Vestager has said.
Facebook accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics in US antitrust hearing
Social media giant Facebook has come in for heavy criticism as part of a US congressional hearing into the dominance of online tech platforms, being accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics as part of its history in acquiring smaller...