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EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

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Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#21

Post by phiresky »

plantain wrote: post #10

It drives me insane when in Europe the link between Google Search and Google Maps is broken and I often have to copy paste an address between the two. Thanks EU, what if I like Google's integrations?

The EU told them they can not by default prefer their own maps product when linking from their search product, they have to allow the user to choose.

They could have simply added a selector when a user first clicks on the maps preview in the search result, and then remembered it on device or across that user's account.

But of course, then the user could choose a competitor's product and Google would have to honor it. That would be horrible, so instead they just made the user experience worse for everyone and elegantly made people blame the EU.

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#22

Post by ricardobayes »

YukiElectronics wrote: post #8
throw1234567891 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

wathefuk r you talking bout

Probably referring to how quite a few e-ID and online banking sites require you to use Chrome or Safari, as the companies behind them don't test with eg. Firefox. The Danish "MitID", for example, doesn't quite work right with how a lot of apps using it for authentication (the default Firefox settings probably strip something from the intent links the MitID login page uses) and Danish citizen service sites require Chr…

It should be tested on Firefox, but its global usage share is hovering around 3.3% and dropping. At this time, even Opera is comparable at 1.7%.

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#23

Post by rnnr »

plantain wrote: post #10

It drives me insane when in Europe the link between Google Search and Google Maps is broken and I often have to copy paste an address between the two. Thanks EU, what if I like Google's integrations?

US's DoJ fined Microsoft for bundling a web browser into its own OS. EU is the apprentice.

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#24

Post by mrtksn »

plantain wrote: post #10

It drives me insane when in Europe the link between Google Search and Google Maps is broken and I often have to copy paste an address between the two. Thanks EU, what if I like Google's integrations?

I share the frustration but maybe if Google hadn't gained a monopoly status Google Maps wouldn’t have been in its current sorry state.

My assessment is that EU is doing too little too late, the fine should have been something like 20B and used towards creating a non-profit, open and extendable map service ideally with the people who already do great mapping tech that don't show up in Google search results at the top.

EU is too vanilla, too unopinionated towards the tech, they go over the problem after the damage is done, take the money for themselves and force a non-solution that doesn't fix the problem and often makes it worse because they leave the implementation to the convicts who make sure to make it maliciously compliant.

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#25

Post by tkel »

YukiElectronics wrote: post #8
throw1234567891 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

wathefuk r you talking bout

Probably referring to how quite a few e-ID and online banking sites require you to use Chrome or Safari, as the companies behind them don't test with eg. Firefox. The Danish "MitID", for example, doesn't quite work right with how a lot of apps using it for authentication (the default Firefox settings probably strip something from the intent links the MitID login page uses) and Danish citizen service sites require Chr…

sounds like very different groups of people. a few danish developers vs 27 politicians from across europe (european commission)

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#27

Post by dns_snek »

plantain wrote: post #10

It drives me insane when in Europe the link between Google Search and Google Maps is broken and I often have to copy paste an address between the two. Thanks EU, what if I like Google's integrations?

Why are you blaming the EU and not Google's malicious compliance? They could simply ask you which map provider you'd like to use.

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#28

Post by throwaw12 »

Expect threats by the Trump administration towards EU.

US: our beloved tech companies (also funded our POTUS elections) tried to navigate the complex regulation landscape in the EU to innovate and accidentally stepped into very complex rules. But EU is fining them for being good boys.

Shame on you EU, for not supporting criminals as much as US does

Re: EU Fines Google $1.02B for Favoring Its Own Services

#29

Post by nolok »

phiresky wrote: post #21
plantain wrote: post #10

It drives me insane when in Europe the link between Google Search and Google Maps is broken and I often have to copy paste an address between the two. Thanks EU, what if I like Google's integrations?

The EU told them they can not by default prefer their own maps product when linking from their search product, they have to allow the user to choose. They could have simply added a selector when a user first clicks on the maps preview in the search result, and then remembered it on device or across that user's account. But of course, then the user could choose a competitor's product and Google would have to honor it.…

It's malicious compliance with the intent of having the users misunderstand what's happening (that you don't have to do that but do it on purpose, and instead blame the law protecting them).

And eh, it works for the cookie banner so why change the strategy ? The comment you're answering to prove it still works. As long as people can't be bothered to think and inform themselves for a second about it, they won't stop. Same with the purposefully annoying and unclear and user hostile 'gdpr popup' about third party consent.

I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm saying from Google POV that's the correct move given their intent, the issue then become people like parent.

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