EU to Investigate Apple and Google for Compliance with New Laws
Tech giants Apple and Google are facing potential regulatory issues in the European Union as the bloc prepares to launch investigations into their adherence to new legislation aimed at curbing the influence of Big Tech. The European Commission is expected to announce probes into the companies under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act in the near future. The focus of the investigation will be on Apple and Google’s fees, terms, and conditions for app store developers.
Operational Compliance Problems for Tech Giants
In addition to these new investigations, tech giants like Apple and Google are already grappling with operational compliance issues in various countries. Recently, Google was fined by the French government’s competition authority for violating intellectual property laws of the European Union. The violation was related to Google’s AI service, Gemini, which had used material without consent from French news organizations and publishers. Similarly, Apple is currently facing a lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department and sixteen attorneys general over alleged antitrust violations.
Increased Scrutiny on Tech Firm’s AI Models
The AI industry has been under increasing scrutiny due to concerns regarding accuracy and credibility. Microsoft’s AI technology came under investigation after it was discovered that the system was generating offensive images. This aligns with previous allegations against Google, which had used its Gemini AI tool to produce incorrect photos. In response to complaints, Google announced that it would stop collecting images of individuals based on racial categories.
Hot Take: EU Probes Could Result in Fines for Apple and Google
Tech giants Apple and Google are facing potential fines as the European Union launches investigations into their compliance with new laws aimed at curbing their influence. The EU’s focus will be on Apple and Google’s app store fees, terms, and conditions. This comes at a time when both companies are already dealing with operational compliance issues in various countries. Additionally, the AI models of these tech firms have also come under scrutiny for generating offensive images and producing incorrect photos. It remains to be seen how these investigations will unfold and what consequences they will have for Apple and Google.