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Dec01

Google facing up to $16.3 billion class lawsuit in the UK

Posted by Ola Ric on Dec 1, 2022

Google facing up to $16.3 billion class lawsuit in the UK

Image Credit: Bloomberg Google is facing up to $16.3 billion class lawsuit in the UK. A California judge has given his nod for the suit to proceed as a consumer class action involving 21 million people who accuse Google of violating US anti-competition laws in how it runs its Google Play app store. According to Reuters, James Donato, a US District Judge said in a 27-page order that the plaintiffs had established the legal framework of “community” and other factors to form a class action that claim anticompetitive business practices against Google. Among those involved in the class action are the Play Store individual consumers in 12 states, including Ohio, Michigan and Georgia, in addition to American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Responding, a Google spokesperson said as per Reuters, “We’re evaluating the ruling, and after that, we’ll assess our options.” In 2021, Google found itself on the wrong side of India’s antitrust watchdog based on the outcome of a probe. The Android OS maker, according to the probe, was said to have abused its Android dominant position in India. This, according to the probe, illegally hurts competitors in the market. According to the probe, Google reduced device manufacturing companies’ ability and incentive to develop and sell devices that run alternative versions of Android. Citing two people familiar with the report, TechCrunch reports that Google’s requirement that makes it mandatory for device manufacturers to pre-install its apps violate India’s competition law. When it comes to antitrust, India is a familiar ground for Google—the company is not new to the law book being thrown at it. In 2020, a new charge was brought against the search engine giant in the smart TV market. Allegations of serious abuse of dominance in the smart TV market was brought against Google. The tech giant was accused of allegedly abusing its Android OS’ position in the smart TV market. The Competition Commission of India, according to Reuters, has been looking into allegations of Google engaging in anti-competitive practices since June. The source says the company has been creating hurdles for firms wanting to use or develop modified versions of Android for smart TVs. In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Department of Justice was planning to initiate an antitrust probe into the activities of Google as it relates...

Nov27

Google tightens the noose on loan apps in Nigeria, Kenya, others

Posted by Ola Ric on Nov 27, 2022

Google tightens the noose on loan apps in Nigeria, Kenya, others

Image Credit: Tuko Loan apps in Nigeria, Kenya, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, will have to meet additional requirements from January to either remain on the Play Store or submit new apps. Loan apps in those countries will be required to submit proof of license to operate, and failure to comply will mean risking removal from the Play Store. In Kenya for instance, such apps that have applied for licensing by the Central Bank of Kenya, and can produce the proof of the same, may be allowed to continue to operate. “Personal loan apps in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Kenya must complete the additional proof of eligibility requirements below,” Google announced in its support page. In Nigeria, where there seems to be a rising issue of name-shaming and privacy invasion by loan apps, Google said: “Digital Money Lenders (DML) must adhere to and complete the LIMITED INTERIM REGULATORY/ REGISTRATION FRAMEWORK AND GUIDELINES FOR DIGITAL LENDING, 2022 (as may be amended from time to time) by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of Nigeria and obtain a verifiable approval letter from the FCCPC.” In addition, such apps in Nigeria, must upon Google Play’s request, provide additional information or documents relating to their compliance with the applicable regulatory and licensing requirements. Almost similar rules have been applied by Google in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines; with Google adding some more stringent measures to protect consumers and users of such apps. In September, India continued its crackdown on Chinese-owned online loan apps. India’s financial fighting agency raided the offices of fintech Paytm and Razorpay and Cashfree sometimes in September. The raid was the latest in a series of investigations into the activities of loan apps in the country. The raid affected high-profile India firms and businesses controlled by Chinese after several complaints and petition alleging “extortion and harassment of the public who had availed small amount of loans through the mobile apps.” Nigeria too not left out The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in August, ordered fintech companies to stop providing payment and transaction services to digital money lenders, also known as loan sharks. The executive vice chairman of the FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera told reporters during an enforcement exercise at the premises of some lenders in Lagos. The FCCPC vice chairman directed fintech companies including Flutterwave, Opay,...

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Nov11

Spotify and Google’s User Choice Billing

Posted By Jane Danes on Nov 11, 2022

Google Play will now allow Spotify to bill US users for subscriptions directly in the app. https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2022/11/continuing-our-commitment-to-user-choice-billing.html A Significant Improvement in Google Play User Billing On Thursday, Google announced that Spotify and Bumble can bill their US users for subscriptions inside their respective apps. Google Play takes a certain percentage of digital sales...

Nov07

Google adds new way to track your packages in Gmail

Posted By Ola Ric on Nov 7, 2022

Google has added a new way to track your packages in Gmail. This is coming as we approach the holiday seasons; and you already know, millions of packages exchange hands during this period. Customers often face an anxious wait when they send packages—these packages sometimes take longer than necessary to get to their destination. The same goes to customers expecting their packages—it is sometimes stressful trying to track these...

Nov02

Google is integrating coupon codes and promotions into product search

Posted By Ola Ric on Nov 2, 2022

Google is gearing up for the holiday seasons, and has announced a couple of changes to help people connect with seasonal offers and deals. The new updates will almost ensure that your search for product information is satisfied by Google. Here is how Google explains it: “Our new promotion badge will show up in Search on items running a promotion (like “15% off with coupon code HOLIDAYS”). While in the past we’ve shown when items are...

Oct31

Google Acquires Alter, an AI Avatar— to Compete with TikTok?

Posted By Jane Danes on Oct 31, 2022

Google bought it for $100 million. AI Avatar Startup for Creators and Brands According to Techcrunch, Google bought Alter. It’s an AI avatar startup that targets creators and brands. It assists them in expressing their virtual identities. This is Google’s move to improve and compete better with TikTok. Google completed the acquisition two months ago. However, the companies did not disclose it to the public. Many have noticed...

Oct12

Google Meet is brining automatic transcript to meetings

Posted By Ola Ric on Oct 12, 2022

Tasked with the duty of putting together the minutes of meetings? Not to worry as Google is now adding a useful tool to take that burden off your shoulder. Google is adding a tool that will automatically transcribe your meetings, and have it sent to you thereafter. You will be able to receive the transcribed version of your meetings in Google Doc starting from this week. Google also announced two upcoming features slated for release...

Oct06

Google renews partnership with Major League Baseball

Posted By Francis Rey on Oct 6, 2022

Google Cloud and Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced their expanded, multi-year, strategic partnership. It aims to keep on innovating MLB’s media products and properties, such as MLB.TV and other media platforms. Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com MLB has chosen Google Cloud as its cloud provider to fast-track its delivery. It will offer more real-time and personalized experiences for baseball fans worldwide. The partnership...

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Next Entries »

Google facing up to $16.3 billion class lawsuit in the UK

Google tightens the noose on loan apps in Nigeria, Kenya, others

Spotify and Google’s User Choice Billing

Google adds new way to track your packages in Gmail

Google is integrating coupon codes and promotions into product search

Google Acquires Alter, an AI Avatar— to Compete with TikTok?

Google Meet is brining automatic transcript to meetings

Google renews partnership with Major League Baseball

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