EU Antitrust Regulators Probe Google-Samsung AI Deal for Potential Market Hindrance

EU antitrust regulators want to know if Google and Samsung's chatbot deal hinders rivals

BRUSSELS, July 17 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators are asking industry participants if Google's multi-year generative artificial intelligence (AI) deal with Samsung hinders rival chatbots on Samsung smartphones, according to an EU document seen by Reuters. The European Commission last month said it would send requests for information to better understand the effects of the deal which would see Samsung embed Google's Gemini Nano in Samsung's Galaxy S24 series smartphones. The move could help the EU antitrust enforcer build a case against the companies if it sees any anti-competitive practices. The questionnaire asked whether the pre-installation of Gemini Nano via the device or the cloud limits the amount of other generative AI systems that may be pre-installed on the same device. Regulators also wanted to know if the pre-installation of Gemini Nano limits interoperability between other chatbots and apps pre-installed on Samsung smartphones. Respondents were asked if they had tried but failed to clinch deals with device manufacturers to pre-install their chatbots and detail the reasons for their rejections. Respondents have until this week to respond to the eight-page questionnaire. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

EU antitrust regulators want to know if Google and Samsung's chatbot deal hinders rivals - ET Telecom

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS: EU antitrust regulators are asking industry participants if Google's multi-year generative artificial intelligence (AI) deal with Samsung hinders rival chatbots on Samsung smartphones, according to an EU document seen by Reuters. The European Commission last month said it would send requests for information to better understand the effects of the deal which would see Samsung embed Google's Gemini Nano in Samsung's Galaxy S24 series smartphones. The move could help the EU antitrust enforcer build a case against the companies if it sees any anti-competitive practices. The questionnaire asked whether the pre-installation of Gemini Nano via the device or the cloud limits the amount of other generative AI systems that may be pre-installed on the same device. Regulators also wanted to know if the pre-installation of Gemini Nano limits interoperability between other chatbots and apps pre-installed on Samsung smartphones. Respondents were asked if they had tried but failed to clinch deals with device manufacturers to pre-install their chatbots and detail the reasons for their rejections. Respondents have until this week to respond to the eight-page questionnaire.

EU Antitrust Regulators Probe Google-Samsung AI Deal for Potential Anti-Competitive Practices

EU antitrust regulators are scrutinizing a multi-year deal between Google and Samsung over concerns that it may hinder rival chatbots on Samsung smartphones, according to an EU document seen by Reuters. The European Commission is seeking to understand the impact of this deal, which would see Samsung integrate Google's generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Gemini Nano, into its upcoming Galaxy S24 series smartphones. Last month, the European Commission announced plans to request information from industry participants to gauge the deal's effects on market competition. This initiative could potentially lead to the EU building a case against Google and Samsung if any anti-competitive practices are identified. The questionnaire distributed by the regulators inquires whether the pre-installation of Gemini Nano on Samsung devices, either directly or via the cloud, restricts the presence of other generative AI systems. Additionally, regulators are interested in whether this pre-installation affects the interoperability between other chatbots and apps pre-installed on Samsung smartphones. Related: EU Scrutinizes Microsoft, Google, and Samsung AI Deals According to Reuters, the questionnaire also asks respondents if they have attempted but failed to secure agreements with device manufacturers for the pre-installation of their chatbots. Respondents are requested to provide detailed reasons for any rejections they have faced. Industry participants have until this week to respond to the comprehensive eight-page questionnaire. This investigation marks another step in the EU's ongoing efforts to regulate major tech companies and ensure a competitive digital market landscape. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for the integration of AI technologies in consumer electronics and the competitive dynamics within the tech industry. As the deadline for responses approaches, the tech community and industry stakeholders are closely watching the developments.

EU antitrust regulators want to know if Google and Samsung's chatbot deal hinders rivals

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators are asking industry participants if Google's multi-year generative artificial intelligence (AI) deal with Samsung hinders rival chatbots on Samsung smartphones, according to an EU document seen by Reuters. The European Commission last month said it would send requests for information to better understand the effects of the deal which would see Samsung embed Google's Gemini Nano in Samsung's Galaxy S24 series smartphones.

European Commission Asking Competitors About Effects of Google-Samsung AI Deal

The antitrust regulator is asking industry participants about the deal and could use what it learns to build a case against the companies, Reuters reported Wednesday (July 17). The effort centers on a deal in which Google's Gemini Nano AI model will be embedded in Samsung's Galaxy S24 series smartphones, according to the report. A request for information sent by the European Commission to industry participants asks them if the deal limits the amount of other generative AI systems that can be preinstalled on a device, if it limits interoperability between other chatbots and apps preinstalled on the phones, and whether they themselves had tried but failed to make deals with device manufacturers to preinstall their chatbots, per the report. European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in June that the regulator was sending requests for information regarding the effects of Google's arrangement with Samsung to preinstall Gemini Nano on certain Samsung devices. Speaking June 28 at a European Commission workshop, Vestager said, "Another risk we see is that big tech companies could make it difficult for smaller foundation model developers to reach end users. Whether alone or in alliances with preferred providers. So we are closely monitoring distribution channels to make sure businesses and consumers still have a wide range of choices among foundation models." In another recent move, the European Commission has given Amazon until July 26 to turn over information on measures it has taken to comply with the Digital Services Act. The Digital Service Act was adopted last year and requires "large online platforms" like Amazon to do more to address illegal or harmful content. "In particular, Amazon is asked to provide detailed information on its compliance with the provisions concerning transparency of the recommender systems," the commission said. The ties between Microsoft and OpenAI are also being given a closer look by the European Commission. Vestager said on June 28 that the regulator is sending a follow-up request for information "to understand whether certain exclusivity clauses could have a negative effect on competitors."

Google, Samsung chatbot deal falls under EU scrutiny: report

Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) multi-year, generative artificial intelligence deal with Samsung (OTCPK:SSNLF), is apparently falling under the scrutiny of EU antitrust regulators, according to a report Wednesday by Reuters. The European Commission is gathering more information regarding Google's Gemini Nano on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series of smartphones to determine if it is preventing rival chatbots from being utilized, the report said. The European Commission dispatched questionnaires to see if the pre-installation of Gemini Nano is limiting the use of rival chatbots or other gen-AI systems on the Samsung smartphones. Respondents have until this week to respond to the eight-page questionnaire. More on Alphabet, etc. Google: Why You Need To Pay Attention To The Miniscule 0.4% Dividend Samsung: One Ring To Rule Them All? Not Quite, But There's Value Here Samsung Brings AI To Wearables And Foldables Google, Microsoft allow Chinese companies access to Nvidia AI chips: report GitLab soars as Google-backed firm eyes sale; Needham positive on potential deal with Datadog