In a landmark move, the European Commission has launched an investigation into three of the world’s biggest technology giants – Apple, Alphabet’s Google, and Meta Platforms – to determine if they have breached EU digital market regulations. The investigation comes after the recent enforcement of the Digital Market Act on March 7, which aims to tackle the dominance of major tech companies in the digital market and promote competition and consumer choice.
The EU Commission’s probe marks the first time the new regulation has been put into action. Under this new law, companies can face fines of up to ten percent of their global turnover if they do not comply. The companies under scrutiny include Google Play and Apple’s App Store, as well as Google’s search engine practices and Apple’s browser preferences. Meta’s payment models for Instagram and Facebook are also being investigated.
European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager stated that the companies’ practices do not fully comply with the Digital Market Act. Meanwhile, Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that the investigations should not come as a surprise to the companies. Both Meta and Google have stated their commitment to complying with the regulation, while Apple has defended its operating methods.
However, despite their responses, the EU Commission remains determined to enforce the regulations outlined in the Digital Market Act. In addition to this investigation, it plans to examine other aspects of the companies’ practices to ensure fair competition in the digital market. This move by Brussels could set a precedent for other countries looking to regulate big tech firms more tightly.
