Google Steers Clear of Chrome Sale; Disney Agrees to Pay $10 Million to Settle FTC Allegations on Children's Privacy Infringement; Singapore Issues Warning to Meta to Combat Scams

In a series of developments, tech giant Google is facing antitrust measures and competition requirements in both Singapore and the United States.

In Singapore, the city-state's competition watchdog has ordered Google to disclose significant changes to its ad auctions and provide search and text ad syndication on fair terms. This decision follows Judge Mehta's earlier finding that Google violated antitrust law. The ruling also imposes several limits on Google, including not signing exclusive deals for Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, or the Gemini app.

Meanwhile, Meta Platforms Inc., the company behind Facebook, has been ordered to implement anti-fraud protection measures on Facebook or face a fine of up to 1 million Singapore dollars. This action comes after Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Goh Pei Ming, revealed that Facebook is the top platform used by scammers for impersonation scams. Singapore has also directed Meta to roll out anti-scam measures on Facebook or risk a fine of up to S$1m (£578,000).

Across the Pacific, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US has sued Disney over children's privacy violations. The case involves videos that Disney uploaded to YouTube, which were not marked as "made for kids". These unmarked videos allowed targeted ads, violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Disney has agreed to pay $10 million to settle the lawsuit and has called the issue an administrative error. The company remains committed to strong compliance standards and investing in tools to lead on children's privacy.

Judge Mehta, who oversaw the Google antitrust trial, acknowledged that AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude are reshaping search. These AI tools are attracting heavy funding and competing for queries faster than traditional rivals ever did. However, Google has managed to avoid being forced to sell Chrome and Android in the search antitrust trial.

In another development, Google has been ordered to share search index and user interaction data with approved competitors. This decision could set a precedent for other content providers distributing work on third-party sites. YouTube, which is a part of Google, has declined to comment on the matter.

The new Online Criminal Harms Act in Singapore targets advertisements, accounts, profiles, and business pages impersonating key government officials. This Act aims to combat online scams and fraudulent activities more effectively.

These developments highlight the increasing scrutiny tech companies are facing globally, particularly in the areas of privacy, competition, and content distribution. As AI tools continue to reshape the digital landscape, regulatory bodies are working to ensure fair practices and consumer protection.

Google Steers Clear of Chrome Sale; Disney Agrees to Pay $10 Million to Settle FTC Allegations on Children's Privacy Infringement; Singapore Issues Warning to Meta to Combat Scams