Weimer Advocates Dismantling Google as Optimal Strategy
In a recent development, Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer of Germany has criticized US tech giant Google, claiming that the company's market power poses a threat to democracy in the country. Weimer asserted that Google's dominance is altering the media landscape and thus the democratic foundation of Germany.
In a podcast on Politico, Weimer suggested that Google should ideally be broken up, citing concerns about the company's impact on local radio, television, and print media, which he believes is threatening free opinion formation in Germany.
The US government, under former President Donald Trump, has long demanded changes to the strict EU digital laws, which aim to combat the spread of misinformation on platforms and affect companies like Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Google, and Microsoft. The US government's demands for changes to these laws are relevant to the ongoing trade dispute between the US and the EU.
The trade dispute has also extended to the handling of US corporations. In a post on his online platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that he would initiate a procedure for new tariffs if US companies continue to be fined.
Weimer, an independent politician, has also called for stronger regulation at the EU level, stating that the EU needs much more. However, he did not mention any specific EU regulations that he believes the EU needs more of in the current context.
The minister also raised concerns about Google's tax situation in Germany, stating that it pays virtually no taxes in the country and gives nothing back to society. He argued that it is not fair to society for Google to make billions in Germany with huge margins and slip out via Dublin.
The US government has threatened state retaliation against the EU after a competition fine against Google. The exact nature of this retaliation was not specified.
It's important to note that no specific information about Google's impact on the handling of US corporations or its impact on the Berlin Playbook podcast was provided in the current context. Similarly, no specific information about consent to display external content or Google's tax situation in Germany was mentioned in the current paragraph.
This development comes at a time when tensions between the US and the EU are high, with both sides locked in a trade dispute that shows no signs of easing soon. The future of Google in the EU, and particularly in Germany, remains uncertain as these issues continue to be debated.
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