Google worked with Facebook against Apple’s new pro-privacy measures. It is one of the evidences emerging from the antitrust lawsuit of twelve American states against Google. Among other things: an internal document was produced in which the company boasted of being able – in collaboration with other big techs including Microsoft – to slow down the new European privacy legislation, the so-called ePrivacy which is actually quite in delay.
Similarly, the success of Google emerged, with its lobbying activity paid for in millions of euros or dollars, to slow down the American privacy legislation for the protection of minors.
Zuckerberg’s (necessary) resignation
by Riccardo Luna
In short, the American cause is leaking another “bad” face of (or of) big tech. It is one of the very first times that evidence emerges on their work behind the scenes to the detriment of users’ privacy, which is deemed harmful to their business.
And in fact, new privacy rules or measures (like Apple’s on iPhone) can harm companies that make a living from advertising. Just the new Apple protections are beginning to affect the revenues of Facebook and others, according to some estimates recently reported by the Wall Street Journal. However – reports the American newspaper – also small companies that sell online are penalized: now that Apple’s measures reduce the effectiveness of personalized advertising, it is more difficult for them to reach their potential customers.
It is therefore not surprising that Google and Facebook are doing everything they can to counter these changes. Facebook has a lawsuit pending in the US against Apple. From the papers of the American trial, however, it seems that the two big names are also willing to play “dirty”. “The companies have worked together to improve Facebook’s ability to recognize users who use browsers with blocked cookies, on Apple devices and on Apple’s Safari browser,” the complaint read. “Thus bypassing Apple’s efforts to compete by offering users better privacy.”
The lawsuit was first filed by Attorneys General in December 2020, accusing Google of market collusion. Attorneys general also accused Facebook and Google of colluding in an illegal advertising deal, which made it easier for Facebook content to appear in its ads. In return, Facebook has given up building an alternative advertising network to Google’s.
Even in Europe, big techs are on the grill of regulators and guarantee authorities. For antitrust reasons (Google has been sanctioned several times by Europe) and, more recently, also for privacy. European privacy guarantors this year sanctioned Facebook for 225 million euros and Amazon for 746 million euros.
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