Google Antitrust
Gianni Dell'Aiuto | WBN News Global - WBN News US | December 17, 2025
Once again, Italy has sent a powerful message to the digital market and AI developers—this time, it stretches far beyond Google.
In October 2025, the Italian Administrative Court of Appeal upheld most of the Italian Competition Authority’s decision sanctioning Google for abusing its dominant position. The case centered on Google's refusal to allow the JuicePass app, developed by Enel X Italia, to operate on Android Auto, instead favoring its own services. Although the fine was partially recalculated, the core infringement stood firm. More importantly, the ruling clarified foundational principles that now reshape Europe’s digital economy.
This isn’t just about Android Auto. It’s about platforms, data flows, and digital power. The Court emphasized that denying interoperability can constitute abuse, even when platform access isn't absolutely essential for survival. What matters is whether exclusion stifles competition, restricts innovation, or limits third parties from building user bases and accessing vital data.
For AI and data-driven businesses, this point is seismic. They will no longer tolerate exclusionary tactics disguised as technical or commercial strategies. Being locked out of a dominant platform at a pivotal moment can irreparably damage a business, even if it technically stays in the market. European regulators are now alert to this risk and no longer tolerate exclusionary tactics disguised as technical or commercial strategies.
This ruling doesn’t just affect Big Tech. It applies across the digital supply chain, including smaller businesses that depend on or integrate with dominant platforms. Regulatory expectations are no longer limited to platform owners; they extend throughout the entire digital ecosystem, which is shaped by the Digital Markets Act.
The judgment aligns with broader EU policy, which is shaped by the Digital Markets Act, the Digital Services Act, and the upcoming AI Act. These regulations signal a clear shift: digital dominance entails responsibility. Harm is now measured not just by immediate consumer effects but by long-term consequences for innovation, competition, and access to data.
This isn’t just another fine—it’s a warning. Every company in Europe’s digital and AI markets, regardless of size or role, must now understand how data control and interoperability impact legal and ethical responsibilities.
In today’s Europe, wielding digital power without accountability is not just risky—it’s unacceptable.
Tags:
#Google Antitrust, #Italy Court Ruling, #AI Data Access, #Digital Markets Act, #Platform Accountability, #Tech Regulation Europe, #Digital Innovation Policy
Gianni Dell’Aiuto is an Italian attorney with over 35 years of experience in legal risk management, data protection, and digital ethics. Based in Rome and proudly Tuscan, he advises businesses globally on regulations like the GDPR, AI Act, and NIS2. An author, speaker, and frequent commentator on legal innovation, he helps companies turn compliance into a competitive edge while promoting digital responsibility. Click here to connect with him.
Editor: Wendy S. Huffman
Sources:
Italian Competition Authority, Italian Administrative Court of Appeal, Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, AI Act
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