Google Search, Whatsapp, and TikTok on list of 22 services targeted by EU’s tough new DMA

Madison_rogue@kbin.social to Technology@lemmy.ml – 197 points –
Google Search, Whatsapp, and TikTok on list of 22 services targeted by EU’s tough new DMA
theverge.com

The European Commission has published an official list of services offered by ‘gatekeepers’ that must comply with obligations under the new Digital Markets Act. Companies now have six months to comply with the rules.

30

Major messaging apps will have an obligation to make themselves interoperable with competitors

Government mandated fediverse lmao.

Seems like they're thinking about RCS support. My experiences with RCS has been pure piece of hot horseshit.

It's been decades since we got Email. I think we can do better.

RCS is fine IMO, just that the clients are complete and utter... ☺️ actually, something different would be nice.

Broadly, the DMA is the EU’s attempt to rein in the market power of Big Tech by opening up entrenched platforms and curbing ecosystem lock-in and anti-competitive behavior, making them compete on the merits of their products and services alone. Major messaging apps will have an obligation to make themselves interoperable with competitors, for example, while operating systems will need to be designed to offer third-party app stores and allow developers to offer alternative in-app payment options.

Good. At least there's one significant regulatory body on this planet that understands how a capitalistic system is meant to be regulated. You don't need something to be an actual, 100% monopoly before you take the kid gloves off and force them to cooperate with other businesses.

Full list of gatekeepers' core platform services that must comply with the Digital Markets Act:

  • Social Networks: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
  • N-IICS (aka messaging services): WhatsApp, Messenger
  • Intermediation: Google Maps, Google Play, Google Shopping, Amazon Marketplace, Apple’s App Store, Meta Marketplace
  • Video Sharing: YouTube
  • Advertising services: Google, Amazon, Meta
  • Web Browsers: Chrome, Safari
  • Search: Google Search
  • Operating Systems: Android, iOS, Windows

Google Shopping

is Google Shopping really used that much?

This is the best summary I could come up with:


The European Commission has officially confirmed which tech companies, and which of their services, count as “gatekeepers” under its strict new Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Broadly, the DMA is the EU’s attempt to rein in the market power of Big Tech by opening up entrenched platforms and curbing ecosystem lock-in and anti-competitive behavior, making them compete on the merits of their products and services alone.

Samsung, which appeared on the previous list, successfully argued that it does not meet the threshold for being a gatekeeper with its internet browser.

Likewise Microsoft’s Bing search engine, Edge browser, and advertising service are not on the list, but the Commission says it’s opening market investigations to assess whether they meet the bar for regulation.

The Commission has said these investigation will take no more than five months, but could result in Apple being forced to make iMessage interoperable with competing services upon request.

Meanwhile the likes of Google Search (and Bing, if it ends up being included) will have to give their users a choice of other search engines, while operating system providers will need to offer the ability to uninstall pre-installed apps and change system defaults like virtual assistants and web browsers.


The original article contains 604 words, the summary contains 200 words. Saved 67%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

Wait, where's iMessage? That's like one of the most popular messaging apps lmao

Not in Europe

I guess, but not too far behind relative to smaller messaging services right, seeing as Apple has 26% of the smartphone market share in the EU? And shouldn't their global reach be at least somewhat considered? Seems like regulation aimed to allow smaller businesses to gain market share is letting one of the biggest companies in the world slip through.

26% means that you cannot use it to talk to 74% of your friends. So European users usually use a service that runs equally well on iOS and Android.

Right, but my point was more that since a quarter of the EU uses iPhone they have iMessage by default, which could then quickly increase their userbase to a top competitor if they're able to increase their EU smartphone market share.

People in EU use mostly WhatsApp and Messenger, cuz most people don't have iPhones

Really? I thought apple is a trillion dollar company because of europeans but guess its americans giving apple all their money lol

Best time to be in Europe. I am applying for my Swiss visa.

Switzerland isn't part of the European Union, only the Schengen zone. So company's won't have to decide by these laws in Switzerland

Really looking forward to seeing what the actual demands end up being.

Hope for MacOS not make the list? It's probably the most gate kept thing that exists

6 more...