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Italy’s competition watchdog probes Google over data portability
Global Banking & Finance Review®
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MILAN (Reuters) -Italy’s competition authority AGCM said on Thursday it had launched an investigation against Google for suspected abuse of its dominant position in data portability, an accusation the Alphabet unit denied.
MILAN (Reuters) -Italy’s competition authority AGCM said on Thursday it had launched an investigation against Google for suspected abuse of its dominant position in data portability, an accusation the Alphabet unit denied.
The watchdog said in a statement that Google allegedly hindered interoperability with other platforms, particularly with Weople, an app by Italian operator Hoda, which could “constrain the economic benefits that consumers can derive from their data” and limit competition.
The competition regulator carried out inspections on Wednesday at Google premises along with Italy’s finance police, it said in a statement.
Google said it had been offering people the possibility of extracting and transferring their data for almost ten years.
“These are tools designed to help people manage their personal information, and not give other companies or intermediaries access to more data to sell,” a group spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Giving such access, it said, would mean “putting people’s privacy at risk, as well as encouraging fraudulent activities. There are already ways for companies to increase direct portability of data in their services.”
Under Italian law, Google faces a fine of up to 10% of its annual global sales if found guilty of abusing its position.
(Reporting by Elvira Pollina, editing by Giulia Segreti and Nick Macfie)
Data portability refers to the ability of individuals to transfer their personal data from one service provider to another easily, ensuring they can manage their information across different platforms.
Interoperability is the ability of different systems and organizations to work together and exchange information seamlessly, which is crucial for enhancing user experience and competition in digital services.
A dominant position in the market refers to a company's ability to control a significant share of the market, allowing it to influence prices and competition, often leading to regulatory scrutiny.
Consumer data refers to information collected about individuals' preferences, behaviors, and interactions, which companies use to tailor services and improve customer experiences.
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