Rome, Italy: – Google is facing an antitrust investigation in Italy over allegations of “misleading and aggressive” commercial practices related to user data consent requests. This probe is part of a growing wave of competition inquiries targeting the tech giant in both the US and Europe.
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has expressed concerns that Google’s consent requests lack transparency, potentially deceiving users about how their data is used. The agency’s press release highlights that these requests could mislead users about the impact of their consent on Google’s data practices, especially regarding the integration and cross-use of data across various Google services.
According to the AGCM, Google’s consent forms might not provide adequate information, influencing users’ decisions about whether to grant consent. The authority is also investigating Google’s practice of combining personal data from its search engine and YouTube, which may pressure users into agreeing to broader data usage than they might otherwise choose.
The probe adds to Google’s growing list of legal troubles. In the United States, the company is facing two major antitrust lawsuits filed by the Justice Department. These cases, targeting Google’s dominance in online search and digital advertising, could have significant implications for the company’s operations.
In addition to the US cases, Google is also under scrutiny by the European Commission. The Commission has launched an investigation into Google’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which aims to regulate major tech firms and ensure fair competition in the digital market.
As Google navigates these complex legal challenges, the outcome of the Italian probe could have far-reaching effects on how tech giants handle user data and obtain consent in the future.
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