Should the US break up LVMH given how dominant they are in luxury goods?
That would arguably just make them more valuable.
EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
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Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#42These rulings for a company of Google's stature/importance are always funny to me. How quickly would public opinion change if Google decided to just shut off their service in the EU for a day? Monopolistic breakups that serve the public's best interest are one thing. But how many people actually care that Google might represent a monopoly? Does it actually affect people negatively if the result is a positive online u…
>How quickly would public opinion change if Google decided to just shut off their service in the EU for a day?
That is not easy, some Google products are paid or Google offered clear terms , they can't brick my phone and break all the contracts they have with different companies because a petty reason.
Even say the free YouTube, I do not pay Google but there are Romanian companies that pay google to put ads in my face, so those are contracts and money involved here.
So what could they stop? Some free charity services maybe?
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#43These rulings for a company of Google's stature/importance are always funny to me. How quickly would public opinion change if Google decided to just shut off their service in the EU for a day? Monopolistic breakups that serve the public's best interest are one thing. But how many people actually care that Google might represent a monopoly? Does it actually affect people negatively if the result is a positive online u…
this is about the ad business not gmail etc. monopolies are not a good thing that’s why we have these laws in the first place. monopolies prevent innovation for example. in the ads case monopoly means 1 company decides what ads are good and what ads are not good which affects society
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#44Should the US break up LVMH given how dominant they are in luxury goods?
Yes, please do!
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#45Before anyone makes the argument that the EU should have no jurisdiction over an American entity, please remember that Google sells its services in Europe. It's well within the jurisdiction of the EU to regulate how anyone does business here. Google Ireland alone had a 50B euro turnover. The breaking up of monopolies used to be in the toolbox of American antitrust policies, back when America enforced antitrust legisl…
and american government agencies try to rule over all countries or citizens all the time too. Or try to make them follow their anti piracy laws
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#46Before anyone makes the argument that the EU should have no jurisdiction over an American entity, please remember that Google sells its services in Europe. It's well within the jurisdiction of the EU to regulate how anyone does business here. Google Ireland alone had a 50B euro turnover. The breaking up of monopolies used to be in the toolbox of American antitrust policies, back when America enforced antitrust legisl…
A better argument is simply that the US routinely (and selectively) enforces its rules well beyond its borders. So why shouldn't anyone else with the clout needed...
Can't wait for the chinese or indian SEC to start suing US nationals for different exotic financial wrongdoings on some half hidden rule
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#47These rulings for a company of Google's stature/importance are always funny to me. How quickly would public opinion change if Google decided to just shut off their service in the EU for a day? Monopolistic breakups that serve the public's best interest are one thing. But how many people actually care that Google might represent a monopoly? Does it actually affect people negatively if the result is a positive online u…
> How quickly would public opinion change if Google decided to just shut off their service in the EU for a day?
Very quickly - against Google.
The fact that European citizens have critical business ties to Google (from GSuite to YT partners) is a sword that cuts both ways.
It means the EU can't simply shut Google down on a whim; but it also means that Google can't just throw a tantrum and put up a black page saying "we are PROTESTING because your EVIL GOVERNMENT wants to OPPRESS US by asking us to PAY TAXES and ALLOW COMPETITION". Businesses wouldn't stick around to wait for the next time they got randomly locked out of GMail and GDrive.
(Not that Google has given the slightest hint of having considered such a move, unlike, say, Meta.)
> The world runs on Google and forcing that to change seems like a step backwards at first glance.
"Well we have a dominant position, it would be a shame if that were to change" isn't a great defence when you're being specifically accused of abusing your dominant position.
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#48"The Commission is concerned that Google’s allegedly intentional conducts aimed at giving [Google’s ad exchange] AdX a competitive advantage and may have foreclosed rival ad exchanges."
So the goal is for there to be more competition among advertisers?
That might help ad purchasers (ie. mostly corporations), but consumers are still going to be screwed as this does nothing to stop the spying and advertising that are worst scourges that Google has imposed upon the world.
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#49Is there anyone who would seriously disagree ?
I disagree. I think this sets a bad precedence. Who's next? Apple? Microsoft? There needs to be some formal process in which countries can vote/object to these things. Breaking up Google has ramifications for the entire world. Europe should not abuse this sort of power. I don't see Europe breaking up Luxottica, LVHM, De Beers Group.
>Who's next? Apple?
Please.
Re: EU suggests breaking up Google's ad business in preliminary antitrust ruling
#50These rulings for a company of Google's stature/importance are always funny to me. How quickly would public opinion change if Google decided to just shut off their service in the EU for a day? Monopolistic breakups that serve the public's best interest are one thing. But how many people actually care that Google might represent a monopoly? Does it actually affect people negatively if the result is a positive online u…
There is a rich history of monopolistic practices throughout history that gave rise to antitrust laws. "Does it actually affect people negatively if the result is a positive online user experience" could just as easily be from the playbook of Microsoft, AT&T, De Beers Group...
If you had read the EC statement, you would have understood this pertains to AdX, Google Ads, and DFP products whereby Google raises prices and stifles any competition: a good example of a negative online user experience.