News Summary

• In one of its arguments, the DOJ has stated that the sheer amount of user data that Google has collected over the years has led to the creation of a “data fortress” that helps ensure that the company remains the world’s leading search engine..
• The new policy, which the company said was in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), allows users to opt out of data sharing across all, some, or none of a select number of Google’s services..
• For example, Google will no longer be able to treat its own services more favorably in Search’s ranking than other third-party services..
• The EU is not the only government that has taken issue with Google’s vast troves of user data..
• If Search and Maps are unlinked, Google Maps will no longer be able suggest locations (like restaurants, for example) based on previous activity..
• Google’s users still have to choose between their privacy or convenience, but at least in Europe they’ll get to be more precise about where they draw the line..