About: Google
Stark divisions among member states in EU digital tax plans
EU finance ministers remain divided over a raft of issues in the European Commission's digital services tax (DST) plans after a meeting on Tuesday (6 November) drew attention to a plethora of challenges in reaching a consensus.
UK takes lead in digital tax standoff but diverts from EU plans
The UK is to roll out a digital services tax (DST) for tech giants from April 2020 in a move that breaks an international stalemate on the subject. The rates, however, differ substantially from the EU’s own DST plans.
US should ‘follow EU’ in privacy legislation, Apple chief says
Tim Cook, head of tech giant Apple, has rallied the US to “follow the lead” of the EU in privacy rules, saying that humanity is living amid a “data industrial complex” in which “our own information is being weaponised against us with military efficiency”.
Apple’s Cook set to back strong privacy laws in Europe, US at Brussels event
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook is expected to praise new European privacy rules and to voice the company’s support for strong laws in Europe and the United States to protect the use of data, according to prepared remarks for delivery at a Brussels event.
‘Enough excuses!’ France’s Le Maire grows impatient over digital tax
Europe has talked long enough about whether to make internet giants like Google, Apple and Facebook pay more taxes and it is time for a decision, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday (18 October).
Google to charge licensing fee for Google Play in Europe
U.S. tech giant Google will charge smartphone makers a licensing fee for using its popular Google Play app store and also allow them to use rival versions of its Android mobile operating system to comply with an EU antitrust order.
EU code of practice on fake news: Tech giants sign the dotted line
Tech giants including Facebook, Google, Twitter and Mozilla have submitted plans to the European Commission outlining how they will abide by a code of practice against fake news, amid opposition on the proposals from a multistakeholder forum.
Digital tax to come by Christmas, Moscovici says
The EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has rallied the cause for an EU-wide digital tax to be rolled out in time for Christmas, amid a raft of opposition on the plans from member states, legal experts and industry associations.
Google appeals record EU fine over Android
Google on Tuesday (9 October) appealed the biggest ever anti-trust fine by the EU, which imposed a 4.34 billion euro penalty on the US tech giant for illegally abusing the dominance of its operating system for mobile devices.
EU privacy chief expects first round of fines under new law by year-end
Regulators are set to exercise their new powers by handing out fines and even temporary bans on companies that breach a new EU privacy law, with the first round of sanctions expected by the end of the year, the bloc’s privacy chief said.
EU digital tax: MEPs call for higher rates
The European Commission should consider increasing the proposed rates in the controversial digital tax plans, MEPs from the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs committee suggested on Tuesday (9 October).
Ireland joins growing list of EU digital tax opponents
The European Commission's proposal to oblige tech firms to pay a 3% levy on revenues faced a further setback on Sunday (7 September), as Ireland joined a growing list of member states opposing the measures.
Disinformation crackdown: Tech giants commit to EU code of practice
A group of tech giants including Google, Facebook and Mozilla have agreed to abide by landmark new standards set out by the European Commission in the battle against the dissemination of fake news across the EU.
Legislating with blinkers: the EU’s copyright reform is up for the vote
Europe’s creative sector is without doubt very important to our economy. Over the past decades, it has grown, mainly due to what is arguably Europe’s (and the world’s) most valuable shared economic asset: the internet. Ursula Pachl explains.
Google in France’s firing line as right to be forgotten hearing arrives at ECJ
It may be your right to be forgotten, but that doesn't mean you can't be found. That is the big issue on the cards on Tuesday (11 September) as France's data regulator locks horns with Google in a hearing on the global application of the EU's right to be forgotten ruling.
Germany cautious on EU tech tax as France adds ‘sunset clause’
A European Union tax overhaul to raise levies on large digital firms needs a thorough debate although an agreement could still be found by the end of the year, Germany's Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Saturday.
Europe’s news agencies blast Google, Facebook for ‘plundering’ content
Europe's biggest news agencies accused Google and Facebook of "plundering" news for free on Tuesday (4 September) in a joint statement that called on the internet giants to share more of their revenues with the media.
Google ‘taking AI to the next level’ to cut data centre energy use
Google is now allowing its artificial intelligence (AI) system – rather than its staff – to directly control its data centre cooling system as a way of lowering emissions and energy consumption. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
Trump threatens EU for ‘taking advantage’ of the US
US President Donald Trump yesterday (19 July) criticised the European Union over a record $5 billion fine EU antitrust regulators imposed on Google, saying the bloc was taking advantage of the United States.
Tweets of the Week: Google fined, EU Japan signed, and Trump outcry
Welcome to EU Tweets of the Week. This week, Google hit with massive fine, Japan and EU sign on the line and Trump-Europe relationship in serious decline.
EU keeps Google on the hook following record fine of €4.34 billion
The European Commission slapped Google on Wednesday (18 July) with a record fine of €4.34 billion for abusing its dominant position and said it would continue to investigate as a “top priority” Google's other businesses for possible additional breaches of market rules. The company said it would appeal.
EU to slam Google with record fine ahead of Juncker US visit
Google is set to face a record-busting EU antitrust fine this week over its Android mobile operating system but rivals hoping that an order to halt unfair business practices will help them may be disappointed.
Commission vs. Android: Killing the cow for a steak
Competition is what makes the world a better place, not intelligent design by God or by bureaucrats. Therefore, protecting competition is one of the key responsibilities of the European Commission. But in the case of Android, it is about to make a huge mistake, writes Žiga Turk.