Italian regulator launches investigation into Apple, Google and Dropbox

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Italian regulator launches investigation into Apple, Google and Dropbox

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) will investigate Apple, Google, and Dropbox. Engadget writes about this. The agency believes that companies may have used users’ personal information for commercial purposes.

Google
Google

The investigation concerns cloud storage facilities – Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox. Presumably, the companies included in the terms of the agreements unfair clauses, thanks to which it was possible to collect and use personal data for commercial purposes. In addition, services could change the terms of agreements unilaterally. Dropbox is also suspected of lacking clear instructions for breaking the user agreement.

US tech companies are increasingly facing pressure from European regulators. In March, French authorities fined Apple $ 1.1 billion for anticompetitive business conduct. 

European countries have been discussing the introduction of a new digital tax for American companies for several years. US Treasury Chief Steven Mnuchin spoke out against, saying such taxes should apply to all areas of business. In June, the United States announced its withdrawal from the discussion: in their opinion, the negotiations had reached an impasse. Despite this, Apple had to adjust its developer revenue in France and the UK due to tax hikes.

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