Italy’s antimonopoly authority has initiated an investigation into Google and its parent company Alphabet due to alleged unfair commercial practices, according to a report from Reuters, citing a statement from the regulator.
Allegations of Deceptive Practices
Google is reportedly asking its users for consent to link its services, which the Italian regulator claims “may constitute a deceptive and offensive commercial practice.” The regulator added that the accompanying information is “incomplete and misleading.” So far, there have been no comments from Google regarding these allegations. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Tax Evasion Accusations
In a related development, Italian authorities have accused Google of evading taxes amounting to €1 billion. The Milan prosecutor’s office, which is conducting the investigation, stated that since Google’s digital infrastructure facilities are located in Italy, the company has the opportunity to operate within the country and earn income, from which it is obliged to pay taxes. If Google agrees to settle these claims, it could set a precedent for other organizations operating in Italy, adds NIXSOLUTIONS. Notably, Netflix has already agreed to settle similar claims brought by the Italian authorities.
We’ll keep you updated on any further developments in this ongoing investigation and its potential implications for other tech companies operating in Italy.