The new markets are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, with the rollout covering desktop and iOS in all listed countries except Japan, where it is currently limited to desktop users.

Gemini in Chrome first launched in the United States in January, after which Google extended access to India, Canada and New Zealand in March. With this latest expansion, more users can now use the feature directly inside the Chrome browser.

Google has been adding more Gemini tools to Chrome since last year. The assistant appears in a floating window and can help users with tasks while they browse.

Earlier this year, Google also introduced a sidebar version that can answer questions across multiple tabs. It can summarise long pages, compare information from open tabs and respond without users leaving the browser.

The feature also works with several Google services. Users can schedule meetings through Calendar, check places with Maps, and draft or send emails through Gmail.

Google’s Personal Intelligence feature is also available through Gemini in Chrome. It allows users to connect services such as Gmail and Google Photos to receive more personalised responses.

Users can also ask questions about YouTube videos while staying on the same page.

Another tool, Nano Banana 2, lets users edit or transform images on the web using text prompts in the Chrome sidebar.

Some advanced functions are still limited to the United States. Google said its agentic feature, which can control a browser window and complete tasks for users, is still being tested.

That feature is only available to subscribers on the AI Pro and AI Ultra paid plans in the U.S. for now.

Making the appeal during a recent meeting between Google executives and officials from President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a source familiar with the matter, the company explained that these proposed remedies could weaken the country’s economy and national security. 

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is pursuing two major antitrust cases against Google—one targeting monopoly in online search and another focused on its advertising technology. 

Prosecutors argue that the tech giant has suppressed competition, including paying billions of dollars to secure its position as the default search engine on Apple’s iPhones.

DOJ’s Proposed Measures

In an attempt to curb Google’s market control, the DOJ has laid out a series of potential remedies, including forcing the company to sell its Chrome web browser and Android operating system. 

Prosecutors contend that divesting these products would allow for greater competition and limit Google’s ability to consolidate power across multiple platforms.

Added to these, the agency is pushing for stricter regulations on Google’s partnerships, particularly those that give it exclusive advantages in search and advertising. 

Among the proposals is a mandate requiring Google to license its search data to competitors at minimal costs and share user data—except for information protected by privacy laws.

Should these measures prove insufficient, prosecutors have suggested a full divestment of Android, arguing that the operating system has been vital in strengthening Google’s search monopoly. 

They also propose barring the company from acquiring smaller search and ad-tech competitors and allowing websites to opt out of having their data used for Google’s artificial intelligence tools.

If approved, the court would appoint a five-member technical committee with broad oversight powers, including access to Google’s internal documents and software code, to ensure compliance.

Google’s Defence

Google has described DOJ’s proposals as extreme and harmful to both consumers and businesses. Kent Walker, Alphabet’s chief legal officer, called the measures a “radical overreach”, warning that they could disrupt essential services and undermine America’s technological leadership.

The company insists that its products, including Chrome and Android, are built on open-source frameworks, benefiting developers and users worldwide. 

Walker also pointed out that enforcing these changes could have unintended consequences for third-party organisations, such as Mozilla, which depend on partnerships with Google to sustain their operations.

Google maintains that breaking up its ecosystem could compromise user security and privacy. It has pledged to fight the DOJ’s recommendations and plans to submit counter-proposals in December.

The case is set for trial in April 2025, with a final ruling expected by August. The outcome could be influenced by changes in US antitrust policy under the Trump administration, as experts suggest the new government may soften some of the aggressive regulatory stances adopted under former President Joe Biden.

For now, Google remains locked in the case.

This follows an August ruling that determined Google had unlawfully monopolised the search engine market.  

According to insiders, the DOJ will request that U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who presided over the earlier case, impose additional remedies targeting Google’s Android operating system and its artificial intelligence practices. 

This is one of the most significant moves by the Biden administration to rein in Big Tech’s influence over digital markets.  

Chrome, which commands nearly two-thirds of the global browser market, is at the heart of Google’s advertising empire. Its integration with Google Search and its ability to collect user data have been critical in bolstering the company’s dominance in online advertising. 

Reports reveal that Chrome’s pervasive presence limits competition, while Google maintains that its products succeed based on quality and consumer choice.  

In a statement, Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president for Regulatory Affairs, described the DOJ’s proposals as part of a “radical agenda” that risks harming consumers rather than promoting competition. 

Google plans to appeal any final rulings it finds unfavourable, with Judge Mehta expected to deliver a decision on remedies by August 2025.  

Potential corrective measures include ending agreements in which Google pays substantial sums to device makers like Apple to make its search engine the default option.

Again, the DOJ is considering requiring Google to provide advertisers with greater control over where their ads appear and more options for content creators to limit their materials from being used in Google’s AI products.  

The DOJ may reserve the Google Chrome divestiture as a last resort if other measures fail to create a competitive marketplace. 

Meanwhile, Google insists its search engine faces competition from platforms like Amazon and that users retain the freedom to switch to alternative browsers or search engines.  

A trial on the proposed remedies is scheduled for April 2025. 

The Digital Opportunity of Nigeria report outlines how Google’s products and infrastructure are driving digital transformation and contributing to economic growth across the country.

With Nigeria experiencing rapid digital development, the report highlights the potential for further growth.

According to the study, every $1 invested in digital technology in Nigeria generates over $8 in economic value.

This emphasises the critical role of digital technology, including connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.

Key Findings from the Report:

• Every $1 invested in digital technology in Nigeria contributes $8 to the country’s economy, illustrating the high return on investment in the sector.
• In 2023, Google’s products and services—including Search, Ads, YouTube, and Cloud—contributed an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity across Nigeria. This has significantly boosted the productivity of Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers.
• Google’s digital skills programs, including Digital Skills for Africa and the Career Certificates Program, have helped millions of Nigerians, with over 1.5 million young adults learning new digital skills in 2023 alone.
• The report estimates that AI could increase Nigeria’s economy by an additional $15 billion by 2030, with Google’s commitment to responsible AI development set to play a pivotal role.

The report also provides strategic recommendations for policymakers, advocating for increased cloud-first policies and enhanced digital infrastructure to maximise AI’s potential in Nigeria. Additionally, it highlights the need for stronger STEM education and AI fluency to prepare Nigeria’s workforce for the future.

Commenting on the report, Olumide Balogun, director, West Africa at Google, stated:
“We’re thrilled to see the positive impact that digital technology is having on Nigeria’s economy. This report underscores the importance of continued investment in digital skills and infrastructure to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s vibrant digital economy.”

Google’s mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome, and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people worldwide.

Meanwhile, Public First is a global policy and strategy consultancy, specialising in economic modelling and opinion research. We work with international companies, governments, institutions and foundations to provide data-rich insights that tackle major strategic challenges.

According to Amy Price, director & head of Technology Policy at Public First;
“Nigeria is a digital front-runner in Africa, and tech investment will be a powerful catalyst for further growth and development across the country. This is particularly true when it comes to connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.”

People want to know what personal data is collected, how it’s used, and who it’s being shared with online.

Echoing sentiments found in Europe, as highlighted by research from IAB Europe, which reveals that 75% of Europeans would opt for the current internet experience, complete with targeted ads, over a version devoid of personalized advertising but requiring payment for access to websites, content, and apps, Africans too, despite their privacy concerns, highly value personalized online experiences

Now it’s time to take a hard look at your ads privacy strategy and get a realistic picture of how much you may still rely on legacy technology, like third party cookies.

This is the end of the ‘precision’ era in favour of new tools like AI and privacy preserving technology that enable  ‘prediction’.

Here are the five steps marketers need to take:

1. Tagging is the most important step:

Tagging is the foundation on which a successful measurement strategy is built – it’s how advertisers understand how their websites and campaigns are performing, measure conversions and thoughtfully and responsibly collect first-party data.

A strong tagging foundation is absolutely essential to getting the information advertisers need to make strategic decisions. It is the best way to measure conversions and optimize the value of marketing investments.

2. Consent, consent consent:

It goes without saying that getting proper consent is critical. When users do not give consent advertisers can preserve ads personalisation features through a combination of first party data and Google AI.

We have announced upgrades to consent mode to help advertisers ensure they have the proper consent structure setup for measurement and advertising purposes.

AI-driven tools require less data to make predictions and fill in the gaps for unknowns to help you optimize for your campaign goals. For instance, leveraging consent and conversion modeling techniques could significantly benefit an African airline, mirroring the success seen by Air France in European markets.

By adopting similar strategies, Air France was able to increase its conversions by an average of 9% across Europe, including a notable 4% increase in France alone.

This was achieved through more precise measurement of consent and conversions, highlighting the effectiveness of these modeling techniques.

3. Create a first-party data strategy:

First party data is absolutely paramount to the future of measurement and advertising. In a constantly evolving landscape, building and strengthening your first party strategy is more important than ever, especially as consumers move from device to device and are harder to reach.

4. Simplify the management and use of your data:

Less than a third of marketers consistently and effectively access and integrate first-party data across channels.

Google Ads Data Manager takes what could be months of work and turns it into a few simple steps, making it easier for advertisers to manage and control their first-party data.

It puts all your data management controls in one place, enabling you to drive incremental revenue and better outcomes for your business.

5. Take stock and adapt:

This year Chrome plans to deprecate third party cookies. Now is the time to take stock of how much of your measurement strategy still relies on third party cookies and begin adopting measurement solutions that will be durable far into the future, like enhanced conversions, and Google Analytics 4.

The companies that have started to embrace this new mindset shift and privacy preserving techniques are already starting to see gains. Put bluntly, privacy is good for business.

What they’ve shown is it’s important to test and learn now to figure out what works best and make adjustments.

Regardless of where you stand, the landscape has already changed. Third party identifiers are deteriorating fast.

It’s time for marketers to embrace the change and enter a new period of innovation and growth – together.

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Google today held graduation events in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa to celebrate 5000 business owners who have completed its Hustle Academy training programme.

At the events, Google also announced a new speaker series in which successful African entrepreneurs share lessons and advice, furthering its commitment to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive.

Launched in February this year, the Google Hustle Academy provides practical business training which helps business owners learn the soft skills that complement their hard talents, through peer-to-peer and mentor driven learning.

This year’s graduates were chosen from nearly 10 000 applications. The 5000 graduates come from 23 cohorts who attended five day virtual bootcamps where they learned how to define their business strategy, increase sales, and how to pitch for investor funding. The curriculum also included lessons on digital marketing and effective financial planning.

Each business also received one on one mentoring sessions, to address specific pain points in their businesses, and to get advice from a network of trained mentors and coaches.

“Our graduates are working hard to grow their businesses, and in addition to having an impact in these 5000 SMBs, this kind of practical training also has a ripple effect, helping many more people succeed, “ says Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde – Head of Brand & Reputation, SSA.

The “Google Hustle Academy Brings You…” the new talk-show style video series featuring renowned and respected entrepreneurs from across Africa, sharing practical advice and growth tips to inspire emerging entrepreneurs is meant to complement and expand the Hustle Academy training.

This speaker series will allow SMBs to get insight from business owners from an array of sectors, focusing on the issues, themes and subjects they face on a regular basis.

Says Aderemi-Makinde, “Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of the global economy, and in Africa, they account for an estimated 80% of jobs. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, there are an estimated 44 million micro, small and medium enterprises, which function as important drivers of economic growth.

Google has demonstrated commitment to supporting businesses in Africa and initiatives like the Hustle Academy and the new speaker series help businesses take advantage of all the opportunities that the web offers and equip them with the tools to develop and grow.

Google has always maintained that its mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

Here are some photographs from the event: