Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
German watchdog opens investigation into Google’s data practices
Investigation
Germany's Federal Cartel Office launched an investigation into whether Google Germany, Google Ireland and parent company Alphabet were exploiting market dominance in their handling of data, including whether users have sufficient choice over data use.
Stated objective. The investigation would consider whether the tech giant offers users enough choice in how it uses their data across the wide range of digital services it provides.
Company response
Clarification — Google
Google said people use its services because they are helpful, not because they are forced to do so or because they cannot find any alternatives.
Source excerpt
The Federal Cartel Office said the investigation would consider whether the tech giant offers users enough choice in how it uses their data across the wide range of digital services it provides.
Germany's antitrust watchdog has launched a probe into whether Google Germany, Google Ireland and its parent company Alphabet are exploiting their market dominance in the way they handle data, it said onTuesday.
The watchdog has sought to treat user data as a competition issue, a position challenged by critics who say the matter falls under the purview of the European Union's privacy laws.