Weimer Advocates for Disabling Google as the Ideal Solution
In a significant move, German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, a seasoned publisher and journalist, has called for the breakup of US tech giant Google. Weimer, who assumed his role as Staatsminister for Culture and Media in the cabinet of Chancellor Friedrich Merz in May 2025, has voiced his concerns about Google's market power and its impact on democracy in Germany.
Weimer's criticism extends beyond monopoly profits. He has suggested that Google slips out of paying taxes through Dublin and criticized the company for paying minimal taxes in Germany and giving little back to society. The minister's comments come after the EU imposed a competition fine on Google, highlighting the tech giant's alteration of the media landscape and endangering free expression of opinion.
The EU digital laws, aimed at combating the spread of misinformation on platforms like X and affecting companies like Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Google, and Microsoft, are relevant to Weimer's concerns. He believes these laws could potentially affect the democratic foundation of Germany by altering the media landscape.
The handling of US companies by Germany and the EU is also relevant to the trade dispute with the US government. US President Donald Trump threatened state retaliation if US companies continue to be fined by the EU, mentioning the possibility of initiating a procedure for new tariffs. Trump's threat was in response to the EU's fine on a US company.
Weimer advocates for stronger regulation at the EU level to address these issues. He views Google's market power as a threat to democracy in Germany, affecting not only local radio and television but also print media. Google makes billions in Germany with large profit margins, according to Weimer, and its influence on the media landscape is a cause for concern.
The US government has demanded changes to the strict EU digital laws, which could potentially impact the regulations faced by companies like Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Google, and Microsoft. Weimer's call for the breakup of Google is a critical stance that underscores the complexity of the issues at hand and the need for a balanced approach to regulating tech giants in the digital age.
