AllQas.com
The European Union (EU) has initiated investigations into tech giants Apple, Alphabet (Google), and Meta (formerly Facebook) under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking the first probe under this comprehensive tech legislation.
The investigations target Alphabet's rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, Apple's rules on steering in the App Store, and Meta's 'pay or consent model.'
The focus of the probes is on so-called "anti-steering rules," which prohibit tech companies from blocking businesses from informing users about cheaper options for their products or subscriptions outside of app stores.
EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager stated that the implementation of DMA rules by Apple and Alphabet appears to conflict with the law's intent, as they still impose recurring fees and limit steering.
Apple has previously faced penalties from the EU for violating these rules. In a recent case, the company was fined 1.8 billion euros after the European Commission found that it restricted app developers from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services.
The third probe focuses on Alphabet, specifically examining whether Google's display of search results favors its own services, such as Google Shopping, over similar rival services, potentially leading to self-preferencing.
These investigations highlight the EU's efforts to regulate the practices of tech giants and ensure fair competition in digital markets, aiming to protect consumer choice and promote innovation.
The outcomes of these probes could have significant implications for the business practices of Apple, Alphabet, and Meta in the EU market and may lead to substantial fines or regulatory changes.