The EU moves forward with competitive standards against Google and Apple. European Commission (EU) announced Two preliminary accusations against Google for not fulfilling Digital Market Law (DMA) The rules related to the search for Google and Play Store, which can lead to fines of $ 35 billion. The regulatory authority also ordered Apple to make iOS more open to third -party devices, such as smart watches, headphones and TVs. Decisions come in front of US President Donald Trump, who threatens additional tariffs in the nation that regulate large technological companies in the United States.
As part Investigation that began in March last yearEC accused Google on Tuesday of violation of DMA, preferring her own services (such as purchases, hotel reservations, transport and financial and sports results) in the search results compared to third -party competitors. Regulators said that the company provides its services “more noticeable treatment compared to others”, displaying them with advanced visual formats and filtering mechanisms.
EC also accused the company of preventing Google Play application developers to inform customers about alternative channels for cheaper offers. Although the commission stated that the alphabet has the right to charge for the developer for managing the client to another channel, it claimed that what the company requires in exchange goes beyond what was justified – “high fees for an unreasonably long period of time for each purchase of digital goods and services”.
“Two preliminary conclusions that we use today are aimed at ensuring compliance with the alphabet in accordance with the EU Rules, when it comes to two services widely used by enterprises and consumers throughout the EU, Google Search and Android -Telephones,” the statement of the head of Antootrul Antitrul, ”the statement said.
DMA, which was adopted in 2022, allows European regulators of excellent companies up to 10 percent of their global income. The commission may double a fine of up to 20 percent for repeated offenders. Alphabet Bring More than 350 billion dollars last year.
The commission emphasizes that the charges are not final, and the alphabet can still protect its decisions in writing before they are completed.
The EU movements fulfill the recent promise to ensure compliance with its regulatory laws, despite the tariff threats from Trump as part of his escalation of the trade war with other countries. He wrote memorandum At the end of February, saying that he will consider tariffs in response to “taxes on digital services, fines, practice and politics” for American companies. In turn, the EU stated that “quickly and decisively reacts to the protection of its rights and regulating autonomy from unjustified measures.”
Although the EU decision on Apple does not (so far) does not include fees, it offers measures that the company must observe in order to avoid them in the future. Firstly, the company should provide greater compatibility with third-party devices that are connected to the iPhone. If Apple does not want to encounter fines of more than $ 39 billion, it will have to improve areas such as notifications for third-party smart watches, data transfer speed (for example, single-work Wi-Fi and NFC) and the process of mating on connected accessories from competing companies.
EC also ordered Apple to improve access to technical documentation for developers so that they could interact with the iPhone and iPad.
“Effective compatibility for third-party connected devices is an important step towards opening the Apple ecosystem,” the Riberti statement said. “This will lead to a better choice for consumers in the fast -growing market of innovative connected devices.”