Australian regulator rejects Google’s commitment on competition from Fitbit, Telecom News, ET Telecom



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Australia’s antitrust regulator on Tuesday rejected a pledge from Alphabet Inc-owned Google that sought to address competition concerns over its planned $ 2.1 billion acquisition of fitness tracker maker Fitbit.

The development comes as Google continues to disagree with the Australian government on a number of issues, including proposed laws that will make Australia the first country in the world to force Google and Facebook to pay for news from local media. .

In June, the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about the Fitbit deal, warning that the Google acquisition would provide it with too much personal data, which could harm competition in online advertising markets and of health.

Google had tried to address those concerns by offering an enforceable judicial undertaking that it would behave in a certain way with rival wearable device makers, not use health data for advertising, and in some circumstances allow competing companies access to health data. and physical condition.

“While we are aware that the European Commission recently accepted a similar commitment from Google, we are not satisfied that such a long-term behavioral commitment in such a complex and dynamic industry can be effectively monitored and enforced in Australia. “said the president of the ACCC. Rod Sims said in a statement.

The regulator also noted that several other competition authorities, including the US Department of Justice, had yet to make a decision on the deal.

The ACCC said it would continue its investigation and set a new decision date for March 25, 2021.

The regulator also has open consultations on ad tech and mobile app stores, with reports due in January and March, respectively, focusing on the fast-growing market power of internet giants.



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