Seven big tech companies say they are platform gatekeepers under EU law

A key deadline has just passed for the world’s biggest tech platform companies to inform the European Union (EU) that they are gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). seven companies have Officially acknowledged that they meet the criteria: Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, ByteDance (TikTok), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Microsoft and Samsung. Companies on the list have a market capitalization of more than €75 billion ($82 billion) and have a social platform or app with at least 45 million monthly users or 10,000 active business users.

The statement published by EU Commissioner Thierry Breton said that he would “now examine their submissions and nominate gatekeepers for specific platform services by 6 September,” and that after that, the companies will have time to comply with the DMA’s rules. For only six months will be there.

reuters The report said that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, disputes its place on the list and noted that Booking.com has informed regulators that it hopes to be on the list next year.

According to Breton, several key things in the new rules include:

They will no longer be able to lock users into their ecosystem.

They will no longer be able to dictate which apps you need to have pre-installed on your device; Which App Store do you want to use?

They won’t be able to “prioritize themselves”: can take advantage of being the gatekeeper by being treated more favorably with their own products and services.

Their messaging apps have to interoperate with others.

Companies breaking the rules risk fines of up to 10 percent of their total worldwide turnover, 20 percent for repeat violators, and repeated failures could lead to the commission launching a “market investigation”. and if necessary, behavioral or structural penalties may be imposed.” Measure.”

We are also witnessing the beginning of new avenues of competition among the tech giants. Meta said last week that it would allow users in Europe to download apps through Facebook ads.