AmazonMeta (Facebook and Instagram), viewAlphabet (Google), Microsoft (LinkedIn), and Bytedance (tik tok) are six great platforms who will have to do as “gatekeepers” Comply with and enforce digital markets law (DMA) is one of the pillars of the European digital strategy to regulate and control the anti-competitive practices of technology companies and put an end to abuse of power. Six are on the first list adopted and published by the European Commission this Wednesday; This list also identified a total of 22 services that must comply with the new rules, including LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Messenger, App Store or not. Safari.
While preparing its list, Brussels took into account the two criteria specified in the regulations. The first is a size that affects the single market. This is a Annual turnover in the EU is at least 7.5 billion euros Have a fair market value of at least EUR 75 billion in the last three financial years or the last financial year; and operations in at least 3 Member States. They also have a sizable economic power position with more than 45 million monthly active end users in at least one of the ten core platform services installed in DMA and more than 10,000 active active users annually for the last three years. Like search engines, social networking services, and operating systems.
iMessage and Bing
The identification of these six “access gateway controllers” and 22 services follows a 45-day review process after Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft and Samsung announced on July 3rd of their potential gateway controller status. The Bing search engine, Edge and Microsoft Publishing, three Microsoft services, and Apple’s iMessage messaging service have been left out for now. The European Commission has launched four market studies to delve into the claims that both companies should not be gatekeepers even though they meet thresholds. Brussels will have to take a step decision within five months at the latest.
The European Commission has also launched another investigation, given a 12-month deadline to assess whether Apple’s iPadOS should be designated as guardian despite not meeting the thresholds. Instead, the Administrator concluded that although Gmail, Outlook.com, and Samsung Internet Browser met the criteria set by the DMA to be considered access controllers, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Samsung presented sufficiently justified arguments that: these services cannot be considered as portals for related core platform services.
On September 14, 2022, European Union (EU) officials gave the green light to a text setting out particularly stringent obligations for the industry’s heavyweights, defined as “protectors” (English ‘watchdogs’). For example, designated platforms will not be able to more positively rank their own services and similar products or services offered by third parties. It also may not prevent consumers from communicating with non-platform companies, force users to remove pre-installed programs or applications from their devices, or monitor end users for targeted advertising purposes without prior consent. Identified platforms are now six months to demonstrate compliance with these obligationsThey will also need to notify the European Commission of any planned mergers or acquisitions, including the possibility of making new “potential appointments” in February 2024.
millionaire fines
The DMA, added to the digital services law (DSA in English), aims to “finally” limit the market power of these companies, and as such the law covers nine different sectors: social networks, desktop operating systems and mobile, web. browsers, search engines, digital commerce platforms, tourist reservations, and video and audio streaming. “Door controller access platforms adapting their technologies and business models “To comply with DMA obligations,” says Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market.
Something that will give consumers “more choice” and create “new opportunities” for smaller innovative tech companies. “In short: it will open the doors of the Internet!” says the French commissioner, there will be consequences if they do not comply. “We will not hesitate to take strong steps” he warns. In other words, access parents will face if they do not comply with the new legislation. Significant penalties of up to 10% or even 20% of global business volume for repeat offenders. Brussels can also force liquidations and restructurings if they do not systematically fulfill their obligations.