In February, the EU said it would be proposing to allow ex ante regulation of large online platforms, rather than relying on ex post competition investigations or legal proceedings, which often take several years to complete. However, Google said a “blanket approach” to ex ante competition regulation may have “unintended consequences on user experience as well as multiplying costs for European businesses.”
The search giant added that the criteria for identifying ‘gatekeeper' power “should be independent of the particular business model that a platform uses, making no distinction as between platforms that operate business models based on advertising, subscriptions, sales commissions, or sales of hardware.”
In a blog post, Google SVP of Global Affairs Kent Walker instead urged European policymakers to focus on three key areas, including the creation of a more responsible internet via the introduction of clearer rules for notifying platforms of illegal content while protecting fundamental rights of expression and access to information.
The EU should also encourage economic growth and innovation by enabling Europeans to build the next generation of apps, businesses and services, and introduce regulation that “supports product innovations, helps people manage their data and provides businesses with the tools to grow,” said Walker.
According to a Google-commissioned study published earlier this year, its free consumer products create EUR 420 billion a year in value for Europeans, while tools like Google Search and Google Maps help consumers and businesses learn new skills and be more productive.
The EU’s DSA consultation ends on 08 September, with a draft proposal for the new rules expected by the end of the year.
