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Various-Google/EU Allegations
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of EU flags; Berlaymont building (headquarters of European Commission)
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - March 8, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. EU flags, Berlaymont building
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - March 24, 2023 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. EU buildings, flags
Beijing, China - March 20, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Screenshot of European Commission statement on Alphabet's breach of Digital Markets Act
FILE: New York, USA - July 25, 2016 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Google building, logo
FILE: Los Angeles, USA - Feb 22, 2017 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Google logo
FILE: Zurich, Switzerland - 2023 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
7. Sign showing "Google" on street
8. Various of Google's Zurich office, Google logo on building
9. Tech employees walking, chatting
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday accused Alphabet, Google's parent company, of failing to comply with its Digital Markets Act (DMA), potentially exposing the U.S. tech giant to hefty fines if the alleged unfair practices are confirmed.
Preliminary findings revealed that Alphabet engaged in "self-preferencing" behavior within its search services, failing to ensure "transparent, fair and non-discriminatory" treatment as a "gatekeeper" as required by the DMA, the European Commission, the EU executive body, said in a statement. For instance, in the ranking of Google Search results, Alphabet's own services such as shopping, hotel booking, and transport are prioritized over those of third parties.
In addition, the Commission accused Google Play of restricting app developers from steering consumers to alternative platforms, limiting consumer choices and further hindering market competition. Alphabet was also criticized for charging app developers excessive fees for services designed to help them attract new users.
The Commission asserted that these practices undermine competitors and violate the DMA, which aims to promote fair market competition in the digital sector. However, Alphabet is still allowed to defend itself by examining the Commission's investigation documents and replying in writing to these preliminary findings.
This is not the first time Alphabet has faced scrutiny from EU regulators. Over the past decades, the tech giant has been fined more than 8 billion euros for various antitrust breaches. If found guilty of violating the DMA rules, Alphabet could face a substantial financial penalty of up to 10 percent of its global annual revenue.
The DMA, enforced to regulate the behavior of large digital "gatekeepers," aims to ensure fair competition and offer more choices to consumers. In September 2023, the Commission designated Alphabet as a gatekeeper for its Google Search service and the Google Play Store on Android devices.
Various-Google/EU Allegations
Dateline : March 20, 2025/File
Location : Various
Duration : 1'03
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of EU flags; Berlaymont building (headquarters of European Commission)
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - March 8, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. EU flags, Berlaymont building
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - March 24, 2023 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. EU buildings, flags
Beijing, China - March 20, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Screenshot of European Commission statement on Alphabet's breach of Digital Markets Act
FILE: New York, USA - July 25, 2016 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Google building, logo
FILE: Los Angeles, USA - Feb 22, 2017 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Google logo
FILE: Zurich, Switzerland - 2023 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
7. Sign showing "Google" on street
8. Various of Google's Zurich office, Google logo on building
9. Tech employees walking, chatting
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday accused Alphabet, Google's parent company, of failing to comply with its Digital Markets Act (DMA), potentially exposing the U.S. tech giant to hefty fines if the alleged unfair practices are confirmed.
Preliminary findings revealed that Alphabet engaged in "self-preferencing" behavior within its search services, failing to ensure "transparent, fair and non-discriminatory" treatment as a "gatekeeper" as required by the DMA, the European Commission, the EU executive body, said in a statement. For instance, in the ranking of Google Search results, Alphabet's own services such as shopping, hotel booking, and transport are prioritized over those of third parties.
In addition, the Commission accused Google Play of restricting app developers from steering consumers to alternative platforms, limiting consumer choices and further hindering market competition. Alphabet was also criticized for charging app developers excessive fees for services designed to help them attract new users.
The Commission asserted that these practices undermine competitors and violate the DMA, which aims to promote fair market competition in the digital sector. However, Alphabet is still allowed to defend itself by examining the Commission's investigation documents and replying in writing to these preliminary findings.
This is not the first time Alphabet has faced scrutiny from EU regulators. Over the past decades, the tech giant has been fined more than 8 billion euros for various antitrust breaches. If found guilty of violating the DMA rules, Alphabet could face a substantial financial penalty of up to 10 percent of its global annual revenue.
The DMA, enforced to regulate the behavior of large digital "gatekeepers," aims to ensure fair competition and offer more choices to consumers. In September 2023, the Commission designated Alphabet as a gatekeeper for its Google Search service and the Google Play Store on Android devices.
ID : 8420684
Published : 2025-03-20 15:54
Last Modified : 2025-03-20 19:32:11
Source : China Central Television (CCTV),China Global Television Network (CGTN)
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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