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Google’s European browser & search choice prompt rolling out over next few weeks

Google Play Store

In March, Google announced that Android would prompt new and existing users in Europe to select a default web browser and search app. Earlier this month, we saw signs that this “choice” would be handled by Google Play. Google today officially detailed the Play Store interface and it’s availability over the coming weeks.


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Google reveals 45% traffic decline to news sites w/ snippet-less Search results due to EU’s Article 11

Google Search no news headlines Europe

Last month, Google tested the impact of Search news results that lacked snippets, headlines, and images to comply with the European Union’s proposed Article 11. Ahead of the Copyright Directive being finalized, the company shared how news publishers could see a 45% reduction in traffic.


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Jigsaw brings Project Shield DDoS protections to EU campaigns, journalists ahead of elections

Jigsaw Project Shield

Targeting elections is now a common tactic aimed at disrupting democracy around the world. Last year, Google announced voter education, Ads Transparency, and security trainings ahead of European Parliament elections in May. The company today provided an update, including Jigsaw expanding its Project Shield DDoS protections.


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Google hit with largest GDPR fine to date over lack of data and ad transparency

Google iphone lawsuit

With the General Data Protection Regulation, Europe set out to unify privacy regulation and “ensure consistency of regulatory decisions for companies and EU citizens.” Google today was fined by France’s privacy regulator over the “lack of transparency, inadequate information and lack of valid consent regarding the ads personalization.”


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Google Search testing news results with no snippets, headlines, images following Europe’s Article 11

Google Search no news headlines Europe

Since the European Union Copyright Directive was introduced last year, Google and YouTube have been lobbying against it by enlisting creators and users. Ahead of finalized language for Article 11 and 13 this month, Google Search is testing possible responses to the “link tax.”


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Android phones in Europe without Google Search will have a basic voice ‘assistant’

Google Voice Action Services

Following our report yesterday about Voice Action Services, Google confirmed to us that the app was created to comply with the European Commission’s decision against Android app bundling. The company also detailed the general functionality, but emphasized how it’s distinct from Google Assistant in a key way.


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Google seemingly preparing Assistant for Europe Android app unbundling w/ Voice Action Services

Voice Action Services

Last week, Google detailed how it would comply with the European Commission’s $5 billion antitrust fine and ruling on Android. Ahead of new manufacturer licenses coming into effect next week, Google is seemingly preparing by unbundling key services like Google Assistant into separate Play Store apps.


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Google hit with $5 billion EU anti-trust fine over Android, company set to appeal

Google Chrome Android

Google has been ordered to pay a record-breaking fine by the EU regulators over anti-trust violations relating to the pre-installation of the Chrome browser and associated Google Play Services on devices running Android. The fine may not even be the biggest punishment doled out by the EU today however…


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Top European court to hear Google’s appeal for more limited scope of ‘right to be forgotten’

Several years ago, the European Union passed a “right to be forgotten” law that instructs tech companies like Google to delist certain content when requested by an individual. Search abides by this, but Google only removes information on a regional, not global, basis.

France’s data protection agency CNIL fined the company on this distinction, with Google appealing last year. Given the significant impact of such a ruling, the appeals court today decided to refer this case to the top European court.


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EU convenes panel to check Android antitrust case, record fines possible by year’s end

Google

The $2.7 billion fine Europe levied against Google last week over its Shopping product was quite significant. However, that is the least of Google’s troubles as they face another record fine over perceived antitrust aspects of Android. The latest move sees the EU setting up another panel of experts to provide a second opinion on the ongoing case.


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