Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Trump files lawsuits against Facebook, Google and Twitter
Lawsuit filed
In July 2021, Donald Trump filed class-action lawsuits against Facebook, Google and Twitter, alleging that the companies censored users. The suits were filed in the Southern District of Florida, according to the report. The filing named the three technology companies as defendants in a dispute over content moderation practices. The report did not specify further details of the claims or any response from the companies.
Source excerpt
Former US President Donald Trump said he is filing class-action lawsuits against Facebook, Google, and Twitter and their executives, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey, and Sundar Pichai respectively.
The lawsuits, filed in the Southern District of Florida, come after Twitter and Facebook booted him over risks of violence following the January 6 insurrection.
Filed in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida and backed by the concerningly named America First Policy Institute, the suit is also aimed at altering Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act
2021
UK regulator investigates Amazon and Google over fake reviews
Investigation
In 2021, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority opened a formal investigation into whether Amazon and Google broke U.K. consumer law by failing to protect shoppers from fake and misleading reviews. The regulator examined the two companies' handling of reviews of goods on their platforms, focusing on whether shoppers were adequately shielded from fake and misleading reviews. The investigation concerned the companies' compliance with U.K. consumer law in this area.
Source excerpt
The Competition and Markets Authority said it opened a formal investigation into whether the two companies broke U.K. consumer law by failing to protect shoppers.
Our worry is that millions of online shoppers could be misled by reading fake reviews and then spending their money based on those recommendations
U.K. regulators said on Friday that they’re investigating Google and Amazon over concerns the online giants aren’t doing enough to stop fake reviews of products and services on their platforms.
2021
CCI orders probe into Google’s smart TV operating-system practices
Investigation
The Competition Commission of India ordered a detailed probe into Google over alleged unfair business practices in India’s smart television operating-systems market. The regulator said it had formed a prima-facie view that Google was dominant in the relevant market and that certain agreement requirements may contravene the Competition Act.
Company response
Denial — Google
we are confident that our smart TV licensing practices are in compliance with all applicable competition laws
Source excerpt
The latter contravenes Section 4(2)(e) of the Act and all these aspects warrant a detailed investigation, CCI said in the order dated June 22.
The Competition Commission has ordered a detailed probe against Google for alleged unfair business practices in the smart television operating systems market in India
2021
Appeals court upholds dismissal of Pulse shooting lawsuit against social media companies
Ruling
A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit that alleged Twitter, Google and Facebook should be held liable for the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre. The court said the plaintiffs had not shown that the attack was international terrorism as defined by law.
A federal appeals court upheld dismissal of a lawsuit alleging Twitter, Google and Facebook should be held liable for the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre. The court said plaintiffs had not shown the attack was international terrorism as defined by law.
Source excerpt
A federal appeals court Monday rejected a lawsuit alleging that Twitter, Google and Facebook should be held liable in the 2016 massacre at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub after Islamic State social-media posts radicalized shooter Omar Mateen.
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district judge’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed by victims and estates of victims in the shooting that killed 49 people and wounded dozens of others at the LGBT club.
The ruling focused heavily on whether the plaintiffs had proven that Twitter, Google-owned YouTube and Facebook “aided and abetted” Mateen in violation of a federal law known as the Anti-Terrorism Act. The court’s 31-page ruling said the plaintiffs did not show that the attack was an act of international terrorism as defined under the law.
2021
Jawbone files patent infringement suits against Apple and Google
Lawsuit filed
In September 2021, Jawbone filed two patent infringement lawsuits, one against Google and one against Apple. According to the reporting, Jawbone claimed that it is entitled to royalties for its noise-cancelling technology. The suits concerned that noise-cancelling technology. The available source summary does not specify the courts involved, the damages sought, or any rulings or outcomes in the cases.
Jawbone filed two patent infringement suits against Google and Apple, claiming it is entitled to royalties for its noise-cancelling technology.
Source excerpt
Former wearable tech start-up Jawbone has filed two patent infringement suits against Google and Apple, claiming it is entitled to royalties for its noise-cancelling technology.
2021
Unlockd sues Google in the United States
Lawsuit filed
Unlockd filed legal proceedings in the United States against Google, claiming that Google's anticompetitive behaviour and app ban caused Unlockd to collapse. These are claims reported in the complaint, not a court determination.
Source excerpt
The proceedings in the United States it is seeking damages for lost profits and future profits, pre and post judgment interest, and legal costs.
Mobile advertising startup Unlockd has filed legal proceedings in the United States against Google claiming it collapsed because of the tech giant’s anti-competitive behaviour.
Unlockd has filed for damages against US tech and media giant Google in the United States, claiming it deliberately scuttled its business just before an initial public offering by banning its apps from its online platforms.
2021
Apple and Google face criticism after removing Navalny's app
Public backlash
Apple and Google faced criticism after removing Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's tactical voting app from their stores under pressure from the Kremlin. A Navalny ally described the removal as political censorship.
Source excerpt
Ivan Zhdanov, a Navalny ally based abroad, said today the removal amounted to political censorship
Apple and Google have come under fire for political meddling after they both removed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's tactical voting app from their stores under pressure from the Kremlin.
2021
South Korea restricts Google’s Android contract terms
Ban or restriction
In a regulatory controversy involving Google, South Korea’s Korea Fair Trade Commission ruled that Google could not force device makers to sign contracts that restricted them from adopting modified versions of Android. The decision addressed contractual terms that limited device makers from using Android forks. The ruling was reported on September 14, 2021. The commission’s action focused on the practice of requiring device makers to accept restrictions on modified Android versions as a condition of contract.
Source excerpt
Under the ruling, Google is banned from forcing device makers to sign AFA contracts, allowing manufacturers to adopt modified versions of Android OS on their devices.
abuse of its dominant market position that restricted competition in the mobile OS market.
South Koreaâs competition watchdog, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has taken issue with the tech giantâs use of anti-fragmentation agreements that have prevented hardware partners from making changes to its operating system. It ruled that Google will be prohibited from forcing manufacturers to sign these in the future, and that existing agreements must be modified.
2021
Robinson Communications sued Google and Facebook over alleged antitrust conduct
Lawsuit filed
Robinson Communications filed a complaint accusing Google of exercising monopoly power in digital advertising and accusing Google and Facebook of conspiring to engage in anticompetitive conduct under the alleged "Jedi Blue" agreement. The filing characterizes these claims as allegations in the complaint.
Source excerpt
According to a Western District of Washington complaint filed on Monday, Robinson Communications Inc. is taking two tech giants for conduct it argues crippled the country’s newspaper industry.
The filing both accuses Google LLC of exercising monopoly power of the digital advertising market and both Google and Facebook Inc. of unlawfully conspiring to engage in anticompetitive conduct per the so-called “Jedi Blue” agreement, constituting an automatic violation of the Sherman Act.
The publisher claims the social media giants have violated federal antitrust and monopoly laws to an extent that "threatens the extinction of local newspapers across the country."
2021
Google faces new EU antitrust investigation over Google Assistant
Investigation
Google faced a new antitrust investigation by the European Union concerning claims that it may have pressured smartphone manufacturers to use Google Assistant as the default voice assistant on their devices. The source reports that an investigation was opened; it does not report a finding of wrongdoing. The matter concerns alleged pressure on device makers regarding default voice assistant settings rather than any established violation. No outcome of the investigation is stated in the source.
Google faced a new EU antitrust investigation over claims that it may have pressured smartphone manufacturers to use Google Assistant as the default voice assistant on their devices. The source reports an investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Source excerpt
谷歌正面临一项新的欧盟反垄断调查，称谷歌“可能迫使”智能手机制造商使用 Google Assistant 作为其设备上的默认语音助手。
2021
Google appeals €500 million French antitrust penalty
Lawsuit filed
Google appealed a €500 million penalty imposed by France's antitrust agency for failing to follow its instructions on negotiations with media publishers. The authority said the appeal would not prevent payment of the penalty.
Company response
Denial — Google
Sebastien Missoffe, the head of Google France stated that the company disagrees with several legal components and believes the fine is excessive in comparison to its attempts to achieve an agreement and comply with the new law.
Source excerpt
The Competition Authority said that Google's appeal would not prevent the tech behemoth from paying the penalties.
Google is appealing against â¬500 million penalty levied by France's antitrust agency for failing to follow its instructions on how to conduct negotiations with media publishers.
2021
Google fined by Moscow court over illegal content
Fine or penalty
In a controversy noted in 2021, a Moscow court fined Google 3 million roubles for not deleting content it deemed illegal. The penalty concerned the company's failure to remove material classified as banned under the court's assessment. The event was reported by a telecom news source, which stated that the fine was imposed for not deleting banned content. No further details on the specific content, the legal proceedings, or the company's response were provided in the available information.
Source excerpt
A Moscow court fined Alphabet Inc.'s Google 3 million roubles ($40,400) on Monday for not deleting content that it deemed illegal
2021
Google pledges further Chrome data-use restrictions amid CMA concerns
Company response
Google pledged further restrictions on its use of Chrome data to address concerns raised by the UK's competition regulator about its plan to ban third-party cookies. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Google had addressed some remaining concerns and would consult on the commitments. The pledge concerned Google's plan to ban third-party cookies and the regulator's review of that plan.
Company response
Clarification — Google
Google said in a blog that is was "determined to ensure that the Privacy Sandbox is developed in a way that works for the entire ecosystem".
Source excerpt
The CMA said it would consult on the new commitments until on 17 December.
Google said in a blog that is was "determined to ensure that the Privacy Sandbox is developed in a way that works for the entire ecosystem".
Google has pledged more restrictions on its use of data from its Chrome browser to address concerns raised by Britain's competition regulator about its plan to ban third-party cookies that advertisers use to track consumers.
2021
Italy's competition authority fines Apple and Google
Fine or penalty
In 2021, Italy's competition authority fined Apple and Google approximately $11.3 million each over violations of the Consumer Code. According to the reported event, the violations concerned a lack of information and aggressive practices related to the acquisition and use of consumer data for commercial purposes. The event was reported as a fine imposed on both companies by the Italian competition authority.
Company response
Denial — Google
In a statement to The Verge, Google said it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal.
Source excerpt
Google and Apple have both disagreed with the authority's decision and plan to appeal against it.
Italy's antitrust regulator has slapped a fine of €10 million (about $11.2 million) each on Google and Apple.
The authority claims the two companies don't provide "clear and immediate information" on how they collect and use data from their users.
2021
UK regulator contacts Apple and Google among 40 companies over children's data practices
Investigation
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office contacted 40 companies in social media, gaming, video and music streaming, including Apple and Google, as part of its examination of services' interactions with children and potential compliance with privacy requirements. Research cited in the report alleged that the companies' app stores did not do enough to prevent underage users from downloading age-inappropriate apps.
Source excerpt
The research alleged that app store owners Google and Apple did not do enough to prevent underage users from downloading age-inappropriate apps from their stores.
The Information Commissioner’s Office aims to investigate their interactions with children, including location tracking, personalizing content or advertising, and serving up behavioral nudges, like automatically playing videos endangering children online and breaching UK’s Children Code.
The UK’s data protection regulator contacted 40 companies in the areas of social media, gaming, video, music streaming, including Apple Inc. and Google, Financial Times reports.
2021
EU court upholds antitrust decision against Google
Ruling
The EU General Court dismissed Google's challenge to a European Commission decision concerning Google's favouring of its own comparison-shopping service and upheld a 2.42-billion-euro fine. Google said it would review the judgment and stated that it had complied with the Commission's order.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Google
Google said it would review the judgment and that it has already complied with the Commission's order to ensure a level playing field for rivals.
Source excerpt
The court backed the EU fine, citing the serious nature of the infringement and the fact that "the conduct in question was adopted intentionally, not negligently".
Google lost an appeal to a 2.42-billion-euro ($2.8-billion) European antitrust decision on Wednesday
The General Court largely dismisses Google's action against the decision of the Commission finding that Google abused its dominant position by favouring its own comparison shopping service over competing comparison shopping services,
2021
Russian court fines Google 2 million rubles
Fine or penalty
In November 2021, a district court in Moscow fined Google 2 million rubles. According to the reported event, the fine was imposed because Google refused to remove prohibited information. The court action and the stated reason for the penalty were the central facts of the event as reported. The report did not specify the nature of the prohibited information, the legal basis cited by the court, or any response from Google. It also did not state whether the fine was paid or appealed. The event was reported on November 8, 2021, and concerned a Russian court's penalty against Google over content removal.
A Moscow district court fined Google 2 million rubles for refusing to remove prohibited information.
Source excerpt
莫斯科一地方法院8日对谷歌处以罚款200万卢布(1美元约合71卢布)，理由是其拒绝删除违禁信息。
报道称，莫斯科塔甘斯基区地方法院的新闻机构24日发布声明称，该法院一名法官裁定谷歌存在行政违法行为，对其“处以72亿卢布（约6.24亿人民币）的行政罚款”。
莫斯科一家法院因谷歌屡次未能在网上删除被禁内容而对其处以72亿卢布（约6.24亿人民币）的罚款。
2021
Russian court fines Google and Meta over content violations
Fine or penalty
The Tagansky District Court ordered Google to pay about 7.2 million roubles and Meta to pay 2 million roubles for repeatedly failing to comply with Russian content-related legislation.
Source excerpt
On Friday, the Tagansky District Court ruled that Google is ordered to pay about 7.2 million roubles ($98.4 million roughly), while Meta is to pay 2 million roubles ($27 million) for repeatedly failing to comply with the directives of Russian legislation on content.
A Moscow court also slapped a $27 million fine on Meta (formerly Facebook) over its failure to delete content banned by the law of the land.
Google told The Verge in a statement it will "study the court documents when they are available and then decide on next steps".
2021
Google sues alleged Glupteba operators
Lawsuit filed
Google sued two named Russian individuals and 15 unidentified individuals alleged to be behind the Glupteba botnet, accusing them of computer fraud and abuse, trademark infringement and other charges. The lawsuit was unsealed on Tuesday.
Source excerpt
Google has sued hackers believed to be part of a cybercrime gang that has stolen user information from around the world.
The lawsuit accuses Mr Starovikov, Mr Filippov and the 15 unnamed defendants of computer fraud and abuse, trademark infringement and several other charges.
According to a lawsuit filed in New York and unsealed on Tuesday, the botnet built by Dmitry Starovikov, Alexander Filippov and their associates has become a "modern technological and borderless incarnation of organised crime".
2021
Moscow court fined Google for refusing to remove prohibited information
Fine or penalty
A magistrate court in Moscow fined Google 4 million rubles under one protocol and another 1.5 million rubles under a second protocol, finding the company guilty of administrative offenses for refusing to remove prohibited information.
Source excerpt
The court official added that on considering the second protocol, the company was fined another 1.5 million rubles ($20,405).
"Google was found guilty of committing an administrative offense under Part 2 of Art. 13.41 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The company was sentenced to an administrative fine of four million rubles under the first protocol and 1.5 million rubles under the second similar protocol," the court’s official said.