What Did Google Do This Week?
Strap in, what didn't happen this week...(!) News count: +30
A ROUGH WEEK FOR GOOGLE (PUTTING IT MILDLY)
Google had a busy, tumultuous, and a foretelling week.
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This week, Google made headlines across multiple domains, from AI investments to legal battles. In a move to enhance urban infrastructure, the New York City Subway began using Pixel devices to detect track defects, allowing for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Pricing leaked for new Pixel models too. Meanwhile, in the corporate sector, Alphabet already announced plans to invest approximately $75 billion this year into AI development, underscoring its commitment to leading the artificial intelligence race.
Google introduced updates to its Display Ads platform, aiming to boost reach and performance for businesses. At the same time, the company ramped up efforts to address digital inequality, launching an initiative to bridge the digital divide in Hawaii and the Pacific by expanding digital skills training and internet access. Developers also benefited from new tools, as Google rolled out free access to Gemini Code Assist and Gemini Code Review on GitHub, further integrating AI into the software development workflow.
Google's week was turbulent to say the least. Layoffs hit its Cloud and HR divisions, reflecting broader restructuring efforts within the company. Legal challenges also surfaced, with a U.S. edtech company filing a lawsuit against Google, arguing that its AI-generated previews were harming original content creators. In South Africa, regulators accused Google and Meta of anti-competitive behavior towards local news publishers, a case that could result in significant financial penalties.
The Pixel Watch 3 is set to receive a loss-of-pulse detection feature in the U.S. next month, enhancing its health-tracking capabilities. Google Sheets also gained a Gemini-powered upgrade, allowing users to analyse data faster and generate visual insights with AI assistance. In an effort to improve security, Google announced that it would replace SMS-based two-factor authentication codes with QR codes for Gmail logins.
Google responded to privacy concerns by making it easier for users to delete personal information from search results, a move that aligns with growing regulatory pressure on tech companies to enhance user control over their data. Meanwhile, in a significant return to corporate leadership discussions, Sergey Brin emphasised that returning to the office is critical for Google’s ability to compete in the race for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).
Google's legal and regulatory challenges continued to mount. The EU General Court upheld an Italian antitrust ruling against Google for restricting Android Auto’s app functionality, reinforcing the bloc's stringent stance on digital competition. Additionally, Canada’s regulatory body moved to impose new fees on Google, escalating tensions between the company and Canadian authorities over digital taxation and news payments.
Despite these hurdles, Google still shipped and innovated some products. The company introduced a new AI-powered shopping experience in collaboration with Glance, enhancing on-screen commerce. At the same time, Google Drive users gained the ability to search video transcripts, improving accessibility and search functionality within stored content.
SO WHAT?
Google is at war—with regulators, competitors, and itself. The past seven days is a perfect snapshot of Google under pressure. The company continues investing heavily in AI, but those investments come with legal risks, workforce upheaval, and regulatory barriers. Google is no longer just playing offence—it’s fighting on multiple fronts, and how it navigates these next few months will determine whether it remains dominant in the AI era or starts losing ground to competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft.
For users and businesses relying on Google’s ecosystem, the key takeaway is clear: change is coming, and not all of it will be smooth. Expect more AI-powered products, but also more regulatory friction, content creator battles, and shifts in how Google operates as a company. Start looking at contracts, what you get, what’s likely to come and what you can renegotiate.
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