Main news from Brussels this week
date: 20/07/2018
Commission fines Google €4.34 billion for illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices
On 18 July, the European Commission fined Google €4.34 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules. Since 2011, Google has imposed illegal restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators to cement its dominant position in general internet search. In particular, Google: (i) has required manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search app and browser app (Chrome), as a condition for licensing Google's app store (the Play Store); (ii) made payments to certain large manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-installed the Google Search app on their devices; and (iii) has prevented manufacturers wishing to pre-install Google apps from selling even a single smart mobile device running on alternative versions of Android that were not approved by Google (so called "Android forks"). Google must now bring the conduct effectively to an end within 90 days or face penalty payments of up to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of Alphabet, Google's parent company.
EU-China summit: deepening the strategic global partnership
On 16 July, the European Union and China held their 20th summit in Beijing. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk represented the European Union, with Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc. The EU and China agreed a joint summit statement, illustrating the breadth and depth of the relationship. A number of other agreements were concluded including: on climate change and clean energy; an exchange of offers on the comprehensive agreement on investment; a partnership agreement on oceans; memorandums of understanding on circular economy cooperation; cooperation on emissions trading; a memorandum of understanding between the European Investment Fund and the Silk Road Forum confirming the first co-investment under the China-EU Co-Investment Fund; an agreement to conclude before the end of October, if possible, the negotiations on geographical indications; an action plan concerning China-EU customs cooperation on intellectual property rights (2018-2020); and a cooperation arrangement and an action plan (2018-2020) between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the general administration of China customs.
EU-Japan summit: a landmark moment for trade and cooperation
At the 25th EU-Japan summit in Tokyo on 17 July, two landmark agreements – the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Economic Partnership Agreement – were signed, significantly boosting bilateral relations. The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan is the biggest ever negotiated by the EU. It creates an open trade zone covering over 600 million people and nearly a third of global GDP. It will remove the vast majority of the €1 billion of duties paid annually by EU companies exporting to Japan, as well as a number of long-standing regulatory barriers, for example on cars. Negotiations on reciprocal adequacy have also been concluded, meaning that the EU and Japan will recognise each other's data protection systems as 'equivalent' allowing data to flow safely between the two.
More information and factsheet on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
More information and FAQ on data flow between Japan and the EU
The European Commission and EU consumer authorities push Airbnb to comply with EU consumer rules
The European Commission and EU consumer authorities have called on Airbnb to align its terms and conditions with EU consumer rules and be transparent on prices. Airbnb's current pricing presentation and a number of its terms do not comply with the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Unfair Contract Terms Directive, and the Regulation on the jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters. The company has until the end of August to present its proposals. Airbnb could face EU enforcement action if it fails to make satisfactory changes to current practices.
Consumer authorities' common position
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here