Malaysia's legal system safeguards the identities of minors, like Zara Qairina, involved in court cases due to their alleged involvement in bullying.
The European Commission has been investigating Google since early 2024, examining allegations that the tech giant restricts app developers and favours its vertical search services like Google Flights. This investigation follows charges brought under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a landmark regulation aimed at limiting the power of Big Tech companies.
If found guilty of breaching the DMA, Google risks fines of up to 10% of its global annual sales. This potential penalty could amount to a significant sum, given that Google has been fined more than €8 billion (RM39.4 billion) by the EU for various antitrust violations in the past.
In response to these allegations, Google has announced plans to make it easier for app developers to direct customers to channels outside of Google. This move comes after the introduction and subsequent updates to Google's External Offers Program, which allows app developers to promote offers outside their apps and provide better deals to users on other channels. However, these promotions are subject to Google’s payments policy and eligibility requirements such as being registered businesses with apps distributed in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Google is also revising fees for its External Offers Program in the EU, following discussions with the European Commission. These changes aim to address the investigation's concerns, which centre around Google preventing app developers from freely steering consumers to other channels for better offers, particularly outside Google's app store, Google Play.
However, Google has expressed concerns that the changes in its External Offers Program for the EU could expose Android users to harmful content and make the app experience worse. Clare Kelly, EMEA Senior Competition Counsel at Google, made a statement regarding the updates to the External Offers Program for the EU, stating that the company is committed to ensuring a safe and positive user experience.
The investigation into Google by the European Commission is ongoing. Google has faced two charges in March for allegedly breaching the EU's Digital Markets Act, and it remains to be seen how this investigation will unfold. The tech giant will undoubtedly continue to face scrutiny as the EU works to rein in the power of Big Tech companies.
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