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EU AI labeling law is now live — and breaking it can cost €15 million
The European Union's transparency rules for Artificial Intelligence are now in effect, requiring AI-generated content and interactions to be clearly labeled. Companies face significant fines of up to €15 million or three percent of worldwide annual revenue for non-compliance. The regulations aim to foster trust and prevent deception by ensuring users know when they are interacting with AI or exposed to AI-generated content.
Trump threatens EU with new tariffs in response to Google fine
The European Commission has found Google in violation of the Digital Markets Act due to its search ranking practices and anti-steering measures. This ruling could lead to significant changes in how Google operates within the EU.
Saudi Arabia's takeover of EA gets approval from European Commission
The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's proposed $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, stating it will not raise competition concerns within the EU. While this hurdle is cleared, the deal still faces scrutiny from US lawmakers and developers concerned about the takeover's implications.
Saudi-led EA buyout receives EU approval, Xbox trials ad-supported game streaming, and Poinpy is eternal - Patch Notes #62
The European Commission has approved the Saudi-led buyout of Electronic Arts, while Xbox is trialing ad-supported game streaming for select titles. Separately, the mobile platformer Poinpy has returned, and news emerges about a revived Kinect game, scrapped Pokémon designs, and legal disputes involving Nintendo and Bethesda employees.
Saudi Arabia's $55 billion EA buyout approved by the European Commission, who say it doesn't "raise competition concerns"
The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts, stating it raises no competition concerns within the EU. While the deal has received regulatory approval in Europe, US lawmakers have called for an investigation into potential anti-competitive practices and worker impact.
Google slapped with $1 billion fine for violating EU's antitrust legislation
The European Commission has fined Google approximately $1 billion for two violations of the EU's Digital Markets Act, including self-preferencing its own services on Google Search and restricting businesses from directing consumers to alternative purchase channels on Google Play. Google has 60 days to address these violations or face further penalties. The company is already testing changes to its search presentation and plans to adjust AI Overviews and AI Mode to comply with the DMA.
European Commission will not force smartwatches and other wearables to have replaceable batteries
The European Commission will not mandate replaceable batteries for smartwatches and other wearables. While a 2023 regulation requires many electronics to have replaceable batteries by 2027, this specific category has been exempted.
Google loses protracted antitrust fight and will have to pay record-breaking €4.1 billion fine equivalent to less…
Google has lost its appeal at the Court of Justice of the European Union, confirming a record-breaking €4.1 billion fine. The fine was originally imposed in 2018 for forcing manufacturers to pre-load Google products on Android devices. This latest ruling upholds the penalty, bringing Google's total EU antitrust fines to €11 billion over the past decade.
Stop Killing Games says 'the fight goes on' after European Commission rejects proposed rule changes: 'We're much more than just this single petition'
The European Commission has rejected proposed rule changes that would have required publishers to keep games operational after their servers shut down, citing existing intellectual property rights. Stop Killing Games, the organization behind the petition, stated that the fight for game preservation continues, with plans to adapt US legislation for the EU and build a 'Stop Killing the Internet' team.
‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ – European Commission Responds to Initiative Supported by Over A Million Supporters
The European Commission has responded to the 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative, stating it cannot legally compel publishers to keep games playable indefinitely. While not proposing new legislation, the Commission will initiate industry discussions by the end of 2026 to draft a code of conduct for game end-of-life management and will raise awareness of existing consumer rights.
European Commission aims to facilitate code of conduct for managing "end of life" for games following Stop Killing Games petition
The European Commission will facilitate a discussion between the games industry and consumers to create a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games, following a petition signed by 1.3 million people. While unable to legally mandate game preservation due to intellectual property rights, the EC will raise awareness of existing EU consumer laws that provide remedies for digital content and services no longer available as contracted.
The EU commission punts on Stop Killing Games but it seems they can’t stop the movement even if they tried
The European Commission has punted on the 'Stop Killing Games' initiative, indicating a delay in regulatory action. Despite this setback, the article suggests that the movement for game preservation is strong and unlikely to be stopped by such delays.
Stop Killing Games suffers setback following European Parliamentary hearing - but all is not lost
The European Commission has decided not to propose new legislation for online game preservation, stating that existing EU copyright and consumer laws provide sufficient safeguards. This ruling is a setback for the Stop Killing Games movement, which had petitioned for a legal framework to prevent games from becoming unplayable when online services are shut down. While the Commission will encourage an industry code of conduct and greater transparency, it will not mandate game companies to keep titles playable indefinitely.
The EU won't pursue a mandatory game preservation law
The European Commission has stated it will not pursue a mandatory law for video game preservation. The commission cited existing copyright and intellectual property laws as sufficient, indicating no new legislation is planned.
The European Commission will not legislate Stop Killing Games, but the campaign isn't dead yet, say its organisers
The European Commission will not legislate to mandate that video games remain playable after commercial support ends, citing intellectual property rights. Instead, they will initiate discussions with the industry and consumer representatives to create a code of conduct for managing game 'end of life' and raise awareness about existing consumer rights. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign plans to continue advocating for similar protections through the European Parliament's Digital Fairness Act.
EU rules against Stop Killing Games, but after 2 years of campaigning founder insists change is coming: "Our position almost seems too good to be true"
The EU Commission has decided against recommending new legislation to prevent publishers from revoking access to online-only games, a setback for the Stop Killing Games campaign. Despite this, campaign founder Ross Scott remains optimistic, stating that they have secured support within the EU Parliament to amend the Digital Fairness Act and pass legislation independently of the Commission's decision. The Commission will instead convene industry and consumer representatives to draft a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
EC "Cannot Propose a Legal Obligation to Keep Video Games Playable"
The European Commission has stated it cannot propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable, following hearings related to the Stop Destroying Videogames European Citizens' Initiative. The EC plans to engage with the industry on this matter.
EU Commission to 'engage with the industry' over Stop Killing Games initiative
The European Commission will engage with the video game industry and consumers by the end of 2026 to address the issue of publishers disabling games. This follows a European Citizens' Initiative, 'Stop Killing Games,' which advocates for players to retain access to purchased titles. The Commission is exploring industry codes of conduct and leveraging existing consumer protection laws to incentivize longer game lifespans, citing Ubisoft's delisting and shutdown of The Crew as a key example.
"The timing is impossible to ignore": Stop Killing Games says Ubisoft attended "invitation-only" meeting with EU Commission ahead of response to campaign sparked by The Crew shutdown, but it "was not invited"
The Stop Killing Games movement alleges that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attended an "invitation-only" meeting with the European Commission shortly before the commission's planned response to their European Citizens' Initiative. The movement, which advocates against games being taken offline after purchase, was not invited to this meeting. This comes after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a decision that has led to legal action and scrutiny from consumer authorities.
EU fines Temu $232 million for selling illegal products
The European Commission has fined Temu €200 million ($232 million) for failing to prevent the sale of illegal products on its platform. This action highlights the regulatory scrutiny e-commerce platforms face regarding product safety and legality.