Explained: How and why Europe is going after Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft

European regulators and some national watchdogs in France, Italy, Spain and Germany are taking a tough stance on Big Tech companies like Apple, Google, Meta (formerly Facebook) and Microsoft. In the latest move, the European Commission charged that Apple breached EU tech rules, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It announced a new probe into the iPhone maker's contractual terms.With this, Apple becomes the first company to be charged under EU's new rules. Here's a breakdown of the recent actions against technology companies:
EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA)
The EU introduced the DMA in September 2023 to create a fairer digital market. Companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft were designated as "gatekeepers" under the DMA, meaning they have to follow stricter rules. These rules aim to make it easier for users to switch between different tech services and platforms.
EU regulators are investigating Apple's App Store practices for potentially breaching DMA rules by restricting app developers. Meta and Google are also under investigation for possible DMA violations.
How EU is going after Apple, Facebook and Microsoft
Apple: The EU is investigating Apple's App Store rules and its new contractual terms for app developers. Apple was previously fined for favoring its own apps over competitors.
Google: The EU has already fined Google billions of euros in the past for antitrust issues. Several EU countries have also fined Big Tech companies for various concerns, including data privacy and unfair business practices.
Facebook parent Meta: The EU is investigating Meta's decision to phase out its misinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle and potential breaches of child safety rules on Facebook and Instagram. Meta was also fined in
Italy for unfair commercial practices.
Microsoft: The EU is investigating Microsoft for potentially tying its Teams app with its Office suite and hindering competition from other security software providers. Microsoft might face charges in this case. A group representing more than 700 startups in Spain issued a complaint about Microsoft's cloud practices to the country's antitrust regulator in May, citing several allegedly anti-competitive practices in recent years.