Apple is set to face its first fine under the European Union‘s Digital Markets Act (DMA) for breaching the bloc’s antitrust regulations, according to sources familiar with the matter. This comes after EU regulators charged Apple in June for violating the new tech rules, which are designed to curb the dominance of big tech companies. The fine, expected to be imposed later this month, adds to Apple’s ongoing antitrust challenges in the EU.
In March, Apple was hit with a €1.84 billion fine for restricting competition in the music streaming market through its App Store policies. The company also faces additional investigations related to new fees on app developers and potential violations of the DMA, which could result in penalties of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
The Digital Markets Act, which came into effect earlier this year, mandates Apple to make changes, such as allowing users to choose default browsers and permitting alternative app stores on its operating systems. Apple has not commented on the impending fine, and the European Commission has yet to provide a response.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has temporarily halted the proposed £762 million acquisition of UK logistics firm Wincanton by American logistics company GXO, citing potential competition risks. This decision follows the CMA’s preliminary investigation, which raised concerns about the merger’s impact on the already competitive contract logistics services sector.
An interim enforcement order (IEO) is now in effect, preventing any integration of the two firms during the review process. The CMA’s phase 1 investigation indicated that the merger could reduce competition in a market valued at £16 billion in the UK, where GXO and Wincanton are key players competing for contracts with major retailers. Naomi Burgoyne, senior director of mergers at the CMA, warned that diminished competition could lead to higher costs for consumers reliant on efficient delivery services.
GXO has five days to propose solutions to address the CMA’s concerns. If the proposals are found inadequate, the regulator will proceed to a more detailed phase two investigation. In response to the CMA’s announcement, a GXO spokesperson stated that they are reviewing the decision and are committed to collaborating with the CMA to achieve a favourable outcome, asserting that the acquisition would benefit logistics customers across the UK and support government initiatives for economic growth.
The European Union’s (EU) antitrust regulators are set to review Apple’s iPad operating system to ensure it aligns with the bloc’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA), designed to curb the power of major tech companies. This assessment comes after Apple submitted a compliance report for iPad OS, which the EU had designated as a crucial ‘gateway’ for businesses to reach consumers. Apple’s obligations under the DMA include enabling alternative app stores, allowing users to set their preferred web browser, and supporting third-party device features like headphones and pens.
In a statement, the European Commission confirmed that it would ‘carefully assess’ Apple’s compliance measures for iPad OS. Feedback from stakeholders, including other tech companies and consumer advocates, will be considered during the review process. Apple has not yet commented on the EU’s latest scrutiny of its iPad software.
The DMA, introduced earlier this year, represents the EU’s latest effort to prevent monopolistic practices among large tech firms. Non-compliance with these rules could result in hefty fines, up to 10% (and 20% for repeat offences) of a company’s global revenue, adding pressure on Apple to meet the standards set by EU regulators.
Google has won a trademark lawsuit brought by Shorts International, a British company specialising in short films, over the use of the word ‘shorts’ in YouTube‘s short video platform, YouTube Shorts. London’s High Court found no risk of consumer confusion between Shorts International’s brand and YouTube’s platform, which launched in 2020 as a response to TikTok‘s popularity.
Shorts International, known for its short film television channel, argued that YouTube Shorts infringed on its established trademark. However, Google’s lawyer, Lindsay Lane, countered that it was clear the ‘Shorts’ platform belonged to YouTube, removing any chance of brand confusion.
Judge Michael Tappin ruled in favour of Google, stating that the use of ‘shorts’ by YouTube would not affect the distinctiveness or reputation of Shorts International’s trademark. The court’s decision brings the legal challenge to a close, dismissing all claims of infringement.
Chinese online retailer Temu is exploring joining a European Union-led initiative to combat counterfeit goods, which includes major retailers such as Amazon, Alibaba, and brands like Adidas and Hermes. Temu is scheduled to present at an upcoming meeting on 11 November as a ‘potential new signatory’ to the Memorandum of Understanding on counterfeits, a voluntary anti-counterfeit agreement supported by the European Commission.
Temu’s interest in the initiative coincides with increasing regulatory pressure from the European Union. The European Commission recently launched an investigation into Temu over potential breaches of EU laws prohibiting the sale of illegal goods, following an earlier request for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a law governing large online platforms. In May, the Commission designated Temu a ‘very large online platform,’ requiring it to take stronger measures against illegal content and counterfeits.
As a subsidiary of China‘s PDD Holdings, Temu has rapidly expanded in Europe and the United States, luring customers with low prices and a ‘shop like a billionaire’ slogan. Its platform offers items like clothing and accessories that often resemble popular branded products at significantly lower prices. Some industry insiders have expressed concerns that Temu’s entry into the anti-counterfeit network could impact the credibility of the initiative.
Nvidia is seeking antitrust approval from the European Union for its planned acquisition of Israeli AI startup Run:ai valued at approximately $700 million. The European Commission has raised concerns that the merger could harm competition in the markets where both companies operate, prompting increased scrutiny of tech giants acquiring startups. This move reflects a broader regulatory trend aimed at preventing potential monopolistic practices in the tech sector.
Although the acquisition does not meet the EU’s turnover threshold for automatic review, it was flagged by Italy’s competition agency, which requested the EU to investigate further. The Commission has accepted this request, indicating that the transaction could significantly impact competition across the European Economic Area.
In response to the regulatory review, Nvidia expressed its readiness to cooperate and answer any questions regarding the acquisition. The company is committed to ensuring that AI technologies remain accessible across various platforms, emphasising its role as a leader in the chip industry, particularly for AI applications like ChatGPT.
Indonesia has banned sales of Google’s Pixel smartphones due to regulations requiring a minimum of 40% locally manufactured components in devices sold within the country. This decision follows a similar ban on Apple’s iPhone 16 for failing to meet these content standards. According to Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s industry ministry, the rules aim to ensure fairness among investors by promoting local sourcing and partnerships.
Google stated that its Pixel phones are not officially distributed in Indonesia, though consumers can still import them independently if they pay applicable taxes. Officials are also considering measures to deactivate unauthorised imports to enforce compliance.
Despite Google and Apple not being leading brands in Indonesia, the market holds significant potential for global tech firms due to its large, tech-savvy population. However, Bhima Yudhistira from the Centre of Economic and Law Studies warned that these restrictions may deter foreign investment, creating what he calls ‘pseudo protectionism’ that could dampen investor sentiment in the region.
The EU‘s voluntary code of practice on disinformation will soon become a formal set of rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to Paul Gordon, assistant director at Ireland’s media regulator Coimisiúin na Meán, efforts are underway to finalise the transition by January. He emphasised that the new regulations should lead to more meaningful engagement from platforms, moving beyond mere compliance.
Originally established in 2022 and signed by 44 companies, including Google, Meta, and TikTok, the code outlines commitments to combat online disinformation, such as increasing transparency in political advertising and enhancing cooperation during elections. A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that the code aims to be recognised as a ‘Code of Conduct’ under the DSA, which already mandates content moderation measures for online platforms.
The DSA, which applies to all platforms since February, imposes strict rules on the largest online services, requiring them to mitigate risks associated with disinformation. The new code will help these platforms demonstrate compliance with the DSA’s obligations, as assessed by the Commission and the European Board of Digital Services. However, no specific timeline has been provided for the code’s formal implementation.
The founder of cryptocurrency firm MyTrade, Liu Zhou, pleaded guilty in Boston federal court on Wednesday to charges of market manipulation and wire fraud. Zhou, who described himself as the ‘mastermind’ behind the company, entered the plea just weeks after being indicted along with 14 others as part of a groundbreaking FBI investigation dubbed ‘Operation Token Mirrors.’ This operation was notable for involving the creation of a digital token by the FBI itself to uncover fraud in the crypto sector.
Prosecutors revealed that MyTrade was one of three market makers involved in providing illicit trading services to cryptocurrency firms. During the investigation, Zhou agreed to manipulate the market for a token backed by the FBI, known as NexFundAI, which operates on the Ethereum blockchain. As part of a plea agreement, Zhou faces a maximum prison sentence of 1.5 years and must refrain from appealing if sentenced within that timeframe. Additionally, MyTrade must stop facilitating fraudulent trades that had previously manipulated the trading volumes of about 60 cryptocurrencies.
Zhou founded MyTrade in 2021, a British Virgin Islands-registered company that offered services like ‘volume support,’ where automated bots were used to inflate trading volumes. Prosecutors characterised this practice as ‘wash trading,’ which artificially boosts an asset’s trading activity. Zhou’s discussions with NexFundAI promoters included plans for market manipulation and ‘pump and dump’ schemes. Following a meeting on 23 September, Zhou quickly agreed to plead guilty after the FBI approached him. Four others involved in the investigation have also pleaded guilty.
Microsoft took the unusual step of publicly accusing Google of conducting ‘shadow campaigns’ in Europe to undermine Microsoft’s reputation with regulators. According to a blog post by Microsoft lawyer Rima Alaily, Google allegedly hired the advisory firm DGA Group to organise the Open Cloud Coalition, enlisting European cloud companies to act as a front while Google finances and directs its operations. The coalition, recently launched, purports to advocate for a ‘fair, competitive, and open cloud industry’ across Europe.
Alaily claims this is part of Google’s pattern of targeting Microsoft, citing Google’s involvement in the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing and a separate effort to sway Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe with significant financial offers to oppose Microsoft’s proposed antitrust settlement. The conflict adds fuel to the rivalry between the two tech giants, who already compete intensely across cloud infrastructure, online advertising, AI, and productivity software.
In response, a Google spokesperson noted that Microsoft’s cloud licensing practices create vendor lock-in, potentially stifling competition, cybersecurity, and innovation. Hours after Microsoft published accusations, the Open Cloud Coalition formally announced its formation, listing Google as a member and calling on European authorities to intensify scrutiny on cloud competition issues. In September, Google said it was filing a complaint against Microsoft with the European Commission over what Google considers unfair practices for licensing the Windows Server operating system.
