Google pushes Europe to limit gatekeeper platform rules

The lions share of Googles submission focuses on lobbying against the prospect of ex ante regulation for such platform giants something the European Commission has nonetheless signalled is front of mind as it looks at how to rein in platform power.

A blanket approach to ex ante competition regulation could have unintended consequences on user experience as well as multiplying costs for European businesses, it writes, urging lawmakers to take a long, hard look at existing regulation to see if its not able to do the job of ensuring markets are working properly.

Where the evidence shows meaningful gaps, the next step ought to be to consider how one can modernise those existing rules and procedures to address the underlying concerns before turning to consideration of new and distinct regulatory frameworks, it adds.

If EU lawmakers must go ahead with ex ante regulation of platforms giants, Google an adtech giant is especially keen that they do not single out any specific business models.

Digital platforms often operate using different business and monetization strategies, across multiple markets, geographies, and sectors, with varying degrees of competitive strength in each. Regulators should not favor or discriminate against any business, business model, or technology from the outset, it goes on.

The digital ecosystem is extremely diverse and evolving rapidly and it would be misguided for gatekeeper designations to be evaluated by reference to the position of an entire company or corporate group.

EU lawmakers have previously said they will come forward with a draft proposal for the new rules by the end of the year.