Max Bank

Ursula von der Leyen has halted a previously planned multibillion-euro fine against Google at the last minute. This is reported by both the Handelsblatt and Capitol Forum. In an open letter released today, more than 30 organizations including @rebalance_now@bewegung.social are calling on the Commission President to impose the fine promptly and thus effectively enforce the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
https://rebalance-now.de/en/von-der-leyen-halts-billions-dollar-fine-against-google-criticism-from-parliament-and-civil-society/
#DMA #vonderLeyern #digitalsovereignty #BreakOpenBigTech #Google #DigitalMarketsAct

According to information from Handelsblatt, the EU had planned to impose its first fine on Google under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). But now it is backing down—at a critical juncture. This would be a desaster for citizens, as the enforcement of our rules is key to protect democracy. Now is not the time to back down, but to enforce our rules - despite external pressure.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/tech-konzern-google-umgeht-vorerst-milliardenstrafe-der-eu/100217105.html
#DMA #DSA #Digitalsovereignty #enforcement #Google #breakopenbigtech

The draft merger guidelines are cause for concern and potentially lay the groundwork for even greater market concentration in Europe.
https://rebalance-now.de/en/draft-merger-control-guidelines-a-cause-for-concern/
#mergercontrol #mergerguidelines #DMA
#enforcement #rebalancingeurope

Google is breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA). A previously planned billion € fine has been halted by Commission President von der Leyen. We call on von der Leyen to fine Google promptly & to boldly enforce our digital rules against Big Tech - despite US pressure! Sign our petition:
https://weact.campact.de/petitions/von-der-leyen-nicht-einknicken-vor-google
#DMA #Google #vonderLeyen #breakopenbigtech #democracy

Today, EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera meets Big Tech CEOs in Silicon Valley: Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai. Time to remind the tech oligarchs the EU will remain steadfast in enforcing competition rules, from the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ongoing cases like Google/Adtech. The attempts of tech companies trying to undermine our rules must end.

Von der Leyens approach to the Digital Market's Act (DMA) endangers Europe's sovereignty and democracy. Important piece by @maxvonthun@bird.makeup in today's @Tagesspiegel@flipboard.com:
https://background.tagesspiegel.de/digitalisierung-und-ki/briefing/von-der-leyens-dma-kurs-gefaehrdet-europas-souveraenitaet
#DMA #DSA #digitalsovereignty #enforcement #breakopenbigtech #google #vonderleyen

"The DMA wasn't designed to curb the market power of tech companies, but it does slow down the pace at which they gain more market power by partially preventing them from abusing it."
More on our assessment of the DMA review via @netzpolitik_feed@chaos.social
https://netzpolitik.org/2026/bilanz-zum-digital-markets-act-eu-digitalgesetz-ist-kein-selbstlaeufer/

#DMA #digitalsovereignty #breakopenbigtech #EUcompetition

The EU’s unconditional clearance of Google/Wiz is a mistake. Civil society statement by @openmarkets@bird.makeup, @somo@mastodon.ngo, Balanced Economy Project and @rebalance_now@bewegung.social:
https://rebalance-now.de/en/the-eus-clearance-of-google-wiz-the-wrong-decision/

Back to the Brussels bubble to advocate for bold competition policy enforcement. #mergerguidelines #breakupgoogle #googleadtech

Head of Bundeskartellamt Mundt claims #GDPR favours Big Tech, as it can afford to be compliant, while EU companies cannot. Big Tech can afford to be compliant with GDPR, but did it ever really comply? Even worse, Big Tech can afford not to comply, as it does not have to fear the penalties.

Instead of challenging #GDPR, we need to strengthen its enforcement to create a level playing field. Also, we need complementary structural measures to challenge Big Tech's market power abuse.

I stand with #hateaid. #breakupbigtech #DMA #DSA @hateaid@troet.cafe
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/usa-verhaengen-sanktionen-gegen-deutsche-aktivistinnen-vorwurf-der-zensur-102.html

An important step by DG Competition for open competition in AI assistants & agents. Meta is doing what dominant firms do: closing off markets. If you want to use AI on WhatsApp, you must use Meta’s AI — or none at all. That’s not fair competition. The Commission’s action is thus very welcome.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_310

#Meta #AI #Whatsapp #EUCompetition

Addicted to the algorithm: how Big Tech lobbies to keep us hooked on social media. Important new @corporateeurope@mstdn.social report:
https://corporateeurope.org/en/2026/02/addicted-algorithm-how-big-tech-lobbies-keep-us-hooked-social-media

DG Competition is currently revising its merger guidelines. We are advocating for a strengthening of the guidelines in order to prevent further anti-competitive mergers and the resulting harms to our societies. Our voice is crucial in the process, as many business in Europe are arguing for weakening merger control. We will keep pushing for a strong merger control in Europe. Read more on our work on the guidelines here:
https://rebalance-now.de/en/merger-control-revisions-to-the-eu-guidelines/

The Google/Wiz merger needs further scrutiny and should not be cleared. Our joint submission to the EU's competition authority with @openmarkets@bird.makeup, @article19_eca@mastodon.social, @somo@mastodon.ngo and Balanced Economy Project:
https://rebalance-now.de/en/our-submission-on-the-risks-of-googles-acquisition-of-wiz/
#GoogleWiz #Google #Wiz #MergerControl #EUCompetition

Why the EU’s Google AdTech Case Is a Test of Democratic Resolve. Opinion piece by @maxvonthun@bird.makeup and me in the @euobserver@mastodon.social:
https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar970c6d90

Clear and important words by Commissioner @teresaribera@bird.makeup
at the ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting in Washington: "Allowing political intrusion into competition enforcement could backfire with unknown consequences. This is about democracy, credibility and reliability." We count on this!

#DMA #CompetitionPolicy #enforcement

RE: @rebalance_now@bewegung.social

We welcome today’s tightening of german competition law as part of the fuel policy package. The critical reactions from business associations such as the Federation of the German Industry (BDI) are pure scaremongering.

RE: @rebalance_now@bewegung.social

🚨 Rising gasoline prices are the result of significant market concentration in Germany, which allows oil companies to skim off substantial profits at the expense of consumers. Urgent action is needed to counteract the industry’s dominant position and its excessive profits—in favor of a balanced economic structure with fewer dependencies.

Our statement below (in german) on the current gasoline price debate in Germany and necessary consequences for competition policy.👇

Bonn Against Amazon: Our background piece on a remarkable initiative by the german Federal Cartel Office.
https://rebalance-now.de/en/bonn-against-amazon-a-remarkable-initiative-by-the-federal-cartel-office/

#Amazon #Bundeskartellamt #19a #GWB #BigTech

As Rebalance Now, we are part of the Digital Merger Watch (DMW) project. Last week, the DMW has updated its Big Tech M&A tracker. The new data reveals that:
▶️Big Tech acquisitions increased by 30% in 2025
▶️Big Tech is positioning itself as a key actor in the future of AI, with 15 of those acquisitions being AI-related.
▶️ 2025 saw a rise in Big Tech’s talent acquisition & licensing deals.

More here infos here:
https://rebalance-now.de/en/digital-merger-watch-current-trends-in-big-tech-mergers/

Bundeskartellamt prohibits Amazon from applying price control mechanisms & imposes a 59 Mio. € fine. The prohibition of price control mechanisms is an important step forward, the fine is rather symbolic though. Further action is needed, as the inherent conflict of interest in Amazon's business model remains there and will likely lead to further abuses of market power.

According to MLex, Google's acquisition of Wiz may gain approval by the European Commission soon. This would be the largest acquisition in Google’s history and another step toward strengthening Google’s market power.

In a joint submission with @openmarkets@bird.makeup, Balanced Economy Project, @somo@mastodon.ngo and @article19_eca@mastodon.social, we explain why this merger needs further investigation (phase II) and should not be cleared:
https://rebalance-now.de/en/our-submission-on-the-risks-of-googles-acquisition-of-wiz/