US Commences Landmark Case Against Google; EU Asks Microsoft Competitors if Activision Blizzard Amendments Affect Them

by Hannah Dillon on 13th Sep 2023 in News

In today's ExchangeWire news digest: the US begins a landmark antitrust case against Google; regulators in the EU ask Microsoft competitors if they are impacted by efforts to approve its Activision Blizzard deal in the UK; and Adobe, Nvidia, and IBM join voluntary commitment for AI regulation.

Google faces antitrust trial in the States

On Tuesday (12th September), a landmark antitrust case against Google began in a Washington District Court. The suit, raised by the US Justice Department in 2020, accuses the tech giant of paying billions of dollars to make its services the default option in smartphones and web browsers, to the detriment of its rivals.

EU asks Microsoft rivals for feedback on company’s attempt to win UK approval

Antitrust regulators in the EU have reportedly asked Microsoft’s rivals and customers if the tech giant’s attempts to win over UK regulators will impact them. The tech giant has proposed amendments to its planned takeover of Activision Blizzard to appease the Competition and Markets Authority, who blocked the USD$69bn (~£55bn) acquisition in April.

Nvidia, Adobe join voluntary commitment to AI regulation

Adobe, IBM, and Nvidia have joined a voluntary programme set out by US President Biden to govern the use of artificial intelligence. The commitment aims to prevent the use of AI for malicious or destructive purposes, and already has the support of Google, Microsoft, and ChatGPT-creator OpenAI.