Google agrees to changes to data portability policy in Italy to end antitrust probe

Google agrees to changes to data portability policy in Italy to end antitrust probe

Italy's competition watchdog, AGCM, has accepted commitments proposed by Google to end a case over the tech giant's alleged abuse of its dominant position in the user data portability market.

The probe was opened last year following a complaint from Italian startup Hoda, which accused Google of hindering the right of its users to share their personal data with other digital service platforms.

In response to the probe, Google proposed some changes to its data backup service in order to enhance users' ability to extract their personal data from the Alphabet unit's services. The company also pledged to make available a test version of a tool it is developing to enable other digital service operators to access personal data that users generate through their activity on Alphabet services.

The new tool will be officially released next year.

AGCM said that it deemed Google's commitments as suitable to remove concerns over competition. A Google spokesperson welcomed the AGCM's decision, adding the company was investing in data portability "in a way that improves user experience while protecting user privacy and security".

Last year, AGCM had said the alleged abuse could "constrain the economic benefits that consumers can derive from their data" as well limiting competition. Google faced a fine of up to 10% of its annual global sales if found guilty of abusing its position.

Here are some key takeaways from the news:

• Google has agreed to make changes to its data portability policy in Italy to end an antitrust probe.
• The changes will make it easier for users to extract their personal data from Google's services and share it with other digital service platforms.
• Google has also pledged to develop a tool that will enable other digital service operators to access personal data that users generate through their activity on Alphabet services.
• The new tool will be officially released next year.
• AGCM said that it deemed Google's commitments as suitable to remove concerns over competition.