Italy Settles Antitrust Case with Google’s Data Portability

Google agreed to improve its data portability offer in Italy after a complaint by Weople

To resolve an antitrust complaint, the AGCM, Italy's competition watchdog, approved Google's offer of data portability. A nearby business called Weople, which runs a direct marketing platform, filed the complaint. Weople had contended that Google's Takeout data portability option was excessively cumbersome and prevented customers from moving their data to another location. Google will make it simpler for consumers to transfer their data from Google's services to other providers in accordance with the terms of the settlement. Google will also make it simpler for consumers to contact Google if they run into any issues and will provide additional details about how data portability functions.

How did the AGCM respond to Google's proposal?

Google made three commitments to improve its data portability service in response to the investigation:

• To enhance Takeout's functionality and user experience by providing additional help, direction, and feedback for users who want to export their data.
• To give users greater alternatives for choosing and downloading certain portions of their data rather than forcing them to download everything at once.
• To make a test version of a brand-new technology that it is creating to provide direct (service-to-service) data portability between Google's services and those of other providers of online services available. The new gadget will formally debut the following year.

According to the AGCM, the settlement ensures that users have control over their data and is a "significant step forward" in this regard. The settlement, according to the AGCM, will benefit in fostering competition in the digital market. The European Commission must still approve the deal. However, as the European Commission has previously stated support for data portability, it is anticipated that it would be approved. Weople and consumers who want more control over their data have won thanks to the deal. Additionally, it shows how seriously regulators are treating data portability. There will probably be more instances like this in the future as the digital market expands.