Source: Amnesty International –
Responding to a ruling by a US court that does not require Google to break up its search business as part of efforts to address its online search monopoly, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
“Google is one of five big technology companies that have a collective hold over the online world, and this concentration of power has come at serious cost to our human rights. This ruling was a missed chance to rein in Google’s power.
“Google’s toxic business model is built on pervasive surveillance. By tracking people across the web and monetizing their personal data through targeted advertising, the company has severely undermined our right to privacy.
“Chrome has been a key tool in expanding these data harvesting practices. Forcing Google to break up its search business and sell Chrome could have marked a first step toward a digital world that respects our rights.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
“Antitrust decisions are a critical lever for building a more rights-respecting digital world and dismantling corporate tech power. It’s crucial that regulators do not miss any more opportunities to address Google’s harmful monopolies. In the upcoming decision on Google’s advertising technology, they must consider a structural break-up that accounts for human rights needs.
“This is a pivotal moment. Tech regulators must work closely with human rights experts and other regulators to ensure that breaking up Big Tech leads to meaningful change – not just a reshuffling of the same harmful practices.”