Companies German regulators focus on Facebook and Google

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29 June 2018 [19659008] The German Telecom Regulatory Authority focuses on technology companies such as Google and Facebook. The institution considers that online communications and their courier services must meet the same requirements as other telecommunications companies,

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"We notice that the line separating traditional telecommunications services from those of the web such as Gmail (on Google) or WhatsApp (belonging to Facebook) has almost disappeared, and consumers do not usually notice any difference," said Johann Höhmann, the president of the German regulator

The legal battle that can open the road

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The Federal Agency for the Regulation of Communications has been in legal conflict with Google since 2014, after having ordered the American giant of the Internet to register his email address as a telecommunications operator. This status leads to a series of mandatory regulatory requirements in the field of personal data protection and the obligation to provide information and access to police and security services if such a need arises. currently by the European Court of Justice. Hohen said he considered the dispute with Google a "test" and that this victory would be followed by more extensive measures

"We want European companies to have a level playing field in data protection , public safety and requirements This should apply to companies providing messaging services such as WhatsApp, Facebook and other similar companies engaged in such activity, "he said "We want them to be subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to traditional businesses when it comes to providing courier services."

"Businesses need to keep up to date." Mind the direction we have taken. " Johann Hohen, President of the German Telecommunications Regulator

Due to its growing influence in economic and social terms and in some In this case Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon are the target of more and more regulatory bodies in Europe, including the European Commission, the German authorities and the tax authorities of the continent

Influence on other countries of The EU

The checks are a consequence of various reasons, but which reflects a common concern in Europe on the market dominance of America's largest Internet technology groups. Google declined to comment on the lawsuit itself, but warned that the price set by the German regulator is at odds with the rest of Europe.

"The special significance of this question stems from the potential impact on other communication services and the impact on other EU Member States ," said one Google release "The German regulator is the only authority in Europe that requires and considers that the registration of Gmail as a telecommunication service is of utmost importance." The regulator was created 20 years ago to control the German energy, telecommunications and postal sectors.

Control over the future

Control over the giants of technology is part of the strategy for the future of the regulator, which will also focus on the underdeveloped state of the Internet infrastructure in the country. Despite its economic well-being most of the country still depends on old copper cables rather than a fast and robust optical fiber network. "Germany spends a lot of time improving the cable connection and the speed that it offers is more than enough for households, but it's clear that the future is built on a different basis" , says Hohen

adds that the solution to the conflict with Google will play an important role in promoting the propagation of optical signals so that the agency can find ways to make investment in the fiber network more attractive for companies like Deutsche Telekom

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