Lawmakers in Europe have agreed on new rules to curb the dominance of tech companies in the country. In a recent development, companies like Apple and Google are now forced to open up their services to other businesses. However, major technology firms have always faced backlash for limiting the competition. They constantly use their market dominance to squash out the competition. Under the “Digital Markets Act (DMA)”, these tech giants will now have to excavate their platforms for other businesses out there.
The Government of Europe wants a simple and fair market in the digital world. EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestanger said that large firms have limited the small businesses. Moreover, they have prohibited the consumers and the businesses from the gain of competitive digital market. So far, the announcement is the biggest regulatory move from the European Union. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is now forced to uncover its app store to third-party payment options. Henceforth, iOS users are no longer obligated to use the company’s private payment system. This is something Apple is fighting for in the US against Epic Games. Besides this, Apple will also lose its hold on the iPhone. Users can now uninstall the Safari Web Browser. Google to also offer people alternatives for its search engine, the Google Maps, and the Chrome Browser.
Lawmakers in Europe want people to have more choices while sending text messages. They have targeted the laws of WhatsApp, Facebook, iMessage, App Store, Google Play, etc. However, Apple cited that some provisions of the DMA will create needless privacy and security susceptibilities for the users. Google also added that the DMA would lessen innovation and choices for the Europeans. The DMA faces final votes in the European Parliament and also from EU’s 27 states.
