Proceedings against Alphabet/Google
Google News Showcase: Improvements for publishers
Google News Showcase is a Google news service which offers publishers options to present their content within a specific framework set by Google. Important improvements were achieved for publishers as a result of the Bundeskartellamt’s proceeding (see our press release of 21 December 2023).
Why did the Bundeskartellamt examine the matter?
View Case Summary (in German only)
The Bundeskartellamt was concerned that Google News Showcase could squeeze similar services offered by other providers out of the market and that participating publishers may be unfairly disadvantaged by Google. Due to the Bundeskartellamt’s proceeding Google responded to the concerns and made important changes to the benefit of publishers.
What are the results?
Most notably, Google has abandoned its plans to integrate Showcase into the general Google search service. Whether or not a publisher participates in Showcase will continue to be irrelevant for the ranking of the search results. Google has changed its contractual practice so that press publishers will have no difficulty in asserting their general ancillary copyright. It has also been ensured that more publishers will be able to participate in Google News Showcase in the future.
Google undertakes to give users more choice when it comes to the processing of their data
Providing users with greater control over their data when using Google services – this is the result of the Bundeskartellamt’s proceeding based on the German Competition Act’s new provisions applicable to digital companies (Section 19a GWB), which was concluded in October 2023.
The improved control options apply to situations in which Google combines personal data from one Google service with personal data from other Google services or non-Google sources or uses these data in Google services which are provided separately.
Decision rendered in the Google data processing case (in German only)
The market power of large digital companies is based on the collection, processing and combination of data. These data are not available to Google’s competitors, which puts them at a serious competitive disadvantage.
By giving users choice options the Bundeskartellamt limits Google’s data-driven market power and protects the users’ right to control the use of their data.
Services included/Cooperation with the EU
The proceeding was conducted in close cooperation with the European Commission as some services provided by Alphabet/Google are now subject to the provisions of the new EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). This applies to Google Shopping, Google Play, Google Maps, Google Search, YouTube, Google Android, Google Chrome and Google’s online advertising services. These services are already subject to obligations under the DMA, in particular with regard to cross-service data processing. While not all of Google’s services are covered by the DMA’s rules, the outcome of the Bundeskartellamt’s proceeding also extends to more than 25 other services (including Gmail, Google News, Assistant, Contacts and Google TV).
What are the results?
The proceeding was conducted in close cooperation with the European Commission as some services provided by Alphabet/Google are now subject to the provisions of the new EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). This applies to Google Shopping, Google Play, Google Maps, Google Search, YouTube, Google Android, Google Chrome and Google’s online advertising services. These services are already subject to obligations under the DMA, especially regarding processing data on a cross-service basis. While not all of Google’s services are covered by the DMA’s rules, the outcome of the Bundeskartellamt’s proceeding also extends to more than 25 other services (including Gmail, Google News, Assistant, Contacts and Google TV).
Google will stops restricting competition in connection with Google Automotive Services and Google Maps Platform
In February 2025 Google has offered the Bundeskartellamt commitments to end several restrictions of competition in connection with Google Automotive Services and Google Maps Platform.
Google Maps Platform
A large number of businesses, including logistics, mobility and delivery service providers, use B2B
map services. With Google Maps Platform, Google is by far the most important provider, licensing services such as access to maps, navigation and traffic information, address validation, location-based search and points of interest. In particular with regard to local search and information on points of interest, Google has a unique position which it was able to achieve due to the widespread use of Google services by end customers.
Until now, combining Google’s various map services with third-party services has only been possible to a limited extent. These restrictions have now been removed, giving customers more choice and flexibility. In future users can integrate the best-suited and lowest-priced services into their applications and freely develop alternative solutions.
Google has committed to remove the contractual provisions restricting the combined use of Google’s map services and map services from other providers. In future, map content provided by Google may also be displayed on third-party maps, such as OpenStreetMap maps.
Google Automotive Services
Google Automotive Services, consisting of Google Maps, Google Play and Google Assistant, is an offering enabling the use of such services in in-vehicle infotainment systems. Until now, it has not been possible to source the services contained in Google Automotive Services as separate stand-alone versions.
Google has offered the Bundeskartellamt commitments under which it will license the services contained in Google Automotive Services also as separate stand-alone versions. In addition, Google will remove restrictive contractual provisions which have created incentives for customers to use Google services, including provisions on default settings or participation in advertising revenue. Google has also committed to create the necessary conditions to enable interoperability with third-party services.