Google rolls out full-screen YouTube Shorts while EU reviews its search‑data practices

Google announced a major update to its YouTube Shorts platform, adding a full‑screen viewing mode and a suite of AI‑powered editing tools designed to boost creator flexibility and compete more directly with TikTok and Instagram Reels. The changes, which will be rolled out globally in the coming weeks, aim to increase user engagement by removing on‑screen distractions and simplifying video production on mobile devices.

At the same time, the European Commission is preparing a decision on how to enforce the Digital Markets Act against Google’s search‑engine dominance. Regulators are considering whether the company must share detailed search‑query data with rivals, a move that raises concerns about user privacy and the potential for data leakage. The outcome could reshape competition in online search and related AI services across the EU.