Google has been accused of exploiting a regulatory gap to terminate a startups access to the Gmail API.
Users can then monetise their information.
Thousands of firmsalready harvest and sell thisdata.
Thats how Google becamethefourth most valuablecompany in the world.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
They are then offered two options.
One prevents tracking from third-party companies.
The ads that they support are then removed from browsers.
The other option permits Gener8 to anonymise, aggregate, and monetise userdata.
In return, the startup provides points.
The points are then exchanged for products, discounts, and donations.
The service has proven popular.
Googles intervention could stall the plan.
A regulatory loophole?
The Gmail API gives Gener8 access to electronic receipts.
The company can then extract and sellanonymised transaction data.
Gener8 has been open about the service.
When it requested access to the Gmail API, the startup explained the plan to commercialise the data.
Google approved the tool in January 2023.
But 18 months later, the corporation had a change of heart.
In July, Google sent Gener8 a message.
The company was withdrawing access to the Gmail API due to evidence that Gener8 was selling Gmail data.
Theyve put their hands around our throat in a really anti-competitive manner, Jones told TNW.
Gener8 was accused of violating Google policy.
But thestartupsuspects that the true explanation is a gap in regulation.
This allows users to transfer their data toGener8.
Gmail, however, was overlooked for DMA designation.
Consequently, the service doesnt fall under the same scrutiny as Search or the Play Store.
But that exposes a curious contradiction in Googles actions.
But the rules appear to have been applied inconsistently.
Gener8has also requested access to the Data Portability API.
In that software, Google has not raised any concerns about selling data.
Jones has promised to fight Googles decision.
He accuses the company of attacking consumer choice and fair competition.
Other data businesses, he warns, could also suffer the consequences.
Gener8 hopes Gmail will soon face the stricter DMA obligations.
The startup also suspects that withdrawing access to the Gmail IP would breach GDPR rights to data portability.
Developments in Gener8s home country provide another csuse for optimism.
The UK is currently developing a DMA equivalent.
Gener8 wants the rules to enforce tighter obligations on data portability.
Google often claims to be a champion of data portability and user empowerment, Jones said.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
