EU imposes strict rules on big tech companies

Among the big tech companies the European Union (EU) will enforce strict rules on are Google, Apple, Meta and Microsoft.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton shared on his social media account about companies that meet the “gatekeeper” criteria under the Digital Markets Act.

Using the expression “Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft and Samsung have notified the EU Commission that they have reached the control threshold under the Digital Markets Law”, Breton stated that the official list will be announced on 6 September after The EU completes the evaluation process.

THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO STRICT RULES

Under the EU law, which was passed last year and will lead to changes in the activities of digital platforms, new rules will be put in place to limit the market power of especially large digital platforms.

In this context, large platforms operating in Europe with a market value of at least €75 billion and reaching more than 45 million users will be called “gatekeepers”.

These technology companies and digital platforms will be subject to stricter rules than others.

Measures will come into force to prevent unfair competition from companies in their sectors.

According to the law, the different messaging services of these companies must be interoperable.

SOME ACTIVITIES MAY BE STOPPED

Large platforms will be prevented from placing their various services ahead of similar services from their competitors.

Users will not be prevented from uninstalling pre-installed software or applications.

Some activities of large companies can stop if they do not comply with certain market rules.

Companies that are in the position of “gatekeepers” can be fined up to 10 percent of their global turnover if they violate the rules.

The new rules are scheduled to be implemented in March 2024. (BRITISH AUTOMOBILE CLUB)