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Google must pay €4.1B fine for using Android to 'block' rivals
19 days ago
- Google fined €4.1bn by Europe's top court for using Android to block rivals.
- Fine originally €4.3bn in 2018, reduced to €4.1bn in 2022; Google's appeal dismissed.
- Google argues it invested in open Android; adapted agreements to comply in 2018.
- Illegal actions included pre-installation requirements, exclusive payments, and preventing forked Android versions.
- European Commission previously fined Google for shopping service dominance and online ad practices.
- Largest fine not on Google; Russian court imposed astronomical fine over YouTube restrictions.
LineageOS now has a web installer
12 days ago
- LineageOS introduced a web installer to simplify the update process.
- The web installer does not handle the entire installation; users must follow device-specific wiki instructions.
- It aims to ease major yearly updates for users.
- Development of LineageOS 24, based on Android 17, is progressing well.
EC: 'Guidance to Google for AI Interoperability on Android'
6 hours ago
- EU Commission issued two binding measures under DMA: one for equal AI access on Android devices, another for sharing Google Search data with competitors.
- Third-party AI assistants must be given APIs to match Gemini's capabilities, including access to Google's own app data like Gmail and Calendar.
- Third-party apps that support one system-level AI provider must support all, preventing selective data sharing.
- Potential outcomes range from wasted engineering effort with no adoption to privacy risks or Google pulling Gemini from the EU.
- Future Android AI features may be delayed or withheld in the EU due to compliance burdens, similar to Apple's DMA experience.

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Google must pay €4.1B fine for using Android to 'block' rivals

LineageOS now has a web installer

EC: 'Guidance to Google for AI Interoperability on Android'