Apple, Alphabet, and Meta under new pressure amid EU anti-trust probes
Big tech firms Apple, Alphabet, and Meta are among those threatened by increased anti-trust scrutiny in Europe.
The European Union (EU) has announced investigations into some of the largest technology firms, over concerns that these companies might be breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA) which was established in 2022.
Reportedly these probes are to focus on practices in app stores, the prioritisation of proprietary services in search engine results, and advertising models.
If found in violation of the DMA, these companies could face penalties up to 10% of their annual global turnover, a figure that could increase to 20% for repeated breaches, reports suggest.
The legislative action is the latest attempted regulatory crackdown in Europe, as the EU targets what it deems as open and competitive digital markets, and at the same time seeks to safeguard consumer choices, and promote fairness among online platforms.
The investigations are a direct response to the companies' compliance reports submitted to the EU, following the DMA's requirement for "gatekeepers" to adhere to stricter regulations aimed at fostering competition and innovation in the digital space.
Some commentators ponder whether the anti-trust scrutiny could be a prelude to a potential break-up and separation of the tech megaliths like Google and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta.
The EU move could set a precedent for regulatory actions against tech giants worldwide, reports claim, noting increasing global scrutiny over 'big tech's' market power and business practices.
As these investigations unfold, Apple, Alphabet, and Meta have shown a willingness to engage with the European Commission, and they assert that their practices align with the DMA's requirements.
It is by no means the first foray by the EU to apply regulatory pressure, though commentators believe these latest probes could significantly impact how digital markets operate.
Explore bias
Media reports generally present a factual overview of the EU's investigations into major tech firms for potential DMA violations.
Nonetheless, the tone and focus varies across outlets, with some reflecting different perspectives on the significance and potential impacts of these investigations. Some outlets emphasise the potential for substantial fines and market disruption, while others highlight the efforts to comply with the DMA.
Explore more stories
- "EU signals doubts over legality of Meta’s privacy fee" - TechCrunch
- "Apple, Meta and Google to be investigated by the EU" - BBC
- "Apple, Meta, and Google targeted by EU in DMA non-compliance investigations" - The Verge
- "EU launches probe into Meta, Apple and Alphabet under sweeping new tech law" - CNBC
- "Google, Apple breakups on the agenda as global regulators target tech" - Reuters
