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 European Commission has introduced an Implementing Regulation that standardises transparency reporting for providers of intermediary services under the Digital Services Act (DSA). That regulation aims to ensure consistency and comparability in the data shared with the public by requiring providers to disclose specific information about their content moderation practices.
Providers must report on the number of pieces of content removed, account suspensions, the accuracy of automated systems, and the composition of their moderation teams. Very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs) are required to submit reports twice a year, while all other providers must report annually.
In addition to content moderation, the regulation mandates transparency in average monthly user numbers, recommender system parameters, and advertising data. Providers must also submit ‘statements of reasons’ for content moderation decisions to the DSA Transparency Database, aligning with the newly specified data categories.
The regulation addresses past inconsistencies by harmonising reporting templates, content, and timelines, ensuring clearer public access to information about digital services’ practices. To facilitate the transition, the regulation includes a clear implementation timeline.
Providers must begin collecting data under the new rules by 1 July 2025, with the first harmonised transparency reports expected in early 2026. That timeline allows digital services time to adjust their systems and practices to comply with the new requirements, further promoting accountability and public trust in the digital services sector across the EU.
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.
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.
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 European Commission is preparing to investigate Chinese online retail giant Temu for possibly breaching rules designed to curb illegal product sales, according to sources cited by Bloomberg News. The inquiry follows an initial request from the Commission on 11 October for Temu to outline its efforts to prevent illegal items from being sold on its platform under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
Temu, a unit of PDD Holdings, has been classified as a ‘very large online platform’ (VLOP) by the EU, a designation that requires strict compliance with measures to counteract illegal content and counterfeit goods. While Temu submitted its response to the EU’s information request by the 21 October deadline, the Commission will determine its next steps after reviewing the data provided. Neither the European Commission nor Temu has commented on the impending investigation.
The Digital Services Act mandates platforms with more than 45 million users to ensure they are taking adequate steps to combat illegal content. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for both Chinese, Temu and other online marketplaces operating within the EU.
The European Union has announced plans to invest €1.4B into its deep tech sector in 2025, aiming to strengthen Europe’s position in the global technology market. The investment, an increase of €200M from last year, will be funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Horizon Europe research and innovation program. The boost is part of Europe’s strategic move to narrow the tech gap with global leaders like the US and China.
EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova highlighted the importance of deep tech innovation for Europe’s economic progress, emphasising that the EIC has become essential in supporting groundbreaking advancements. This increased funding reflects the EU’s commitment to fostering high-impact technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to drive economic growth and global competitiveness.
By targeting tech innovation, the EU aims to position itself as a leader in AI and deep tech, focusing on revitalising its economy through significant advancements in these areas. As the EU steps up its support for deep tech, officials believe this investment will yield long-term benefits and keep Europe at the forefront of technological progress.
Apple announced that its Apple Intelligence AI suite will be available in the European Union starting in April 2025, with localised language support to follow. The AI-powered feature set, which includes advanced tools such as Writing Tools, Genmoji, and a redesigned Siri with ChatGPT integration, has until now been limited to US English. The delay in the European rollout was previously attributed to compliance requirements under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which applies to certain digital platforms to ensure competition and user privacy.
With iOS 18.1, Mac users in Europe can already access Apple Intelligence features by switching their language settings, while iPhone and iPad users must wait until next April. The release will come with support for a dozen languages throughout 2025, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish, broadening accessibility for EU users.
Apple’s phased rollout underscores the tech giant’s efforts to adapt its products to EU regulatory standards while maintaining a consistent experience for European users. Although some features, like notification summaries, may not be available initially, Apple has committed to bringing as many AI capabilities as possible to European devices in future updates.
Intel has won a significant victory in a legal battle that spanned nearly two decades, as the European Union’s Court of Justice ruled in its favour on Thursday. The court dismissed an appeal by the European Commission, which had accused the US chipmaker of anti-competitive practices aimed at undermining rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
The dispute centred on Intel offering rebates to major computer manufacturers, such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, NEC, and Lenovo, for primarily using Intel chips. EU regulators had fined Intel €1.06 billion, arguing the rebates were intended to block AMD’s market share. However, Intel consistently challenged the fine, asserting that regulators failed to prove any anti-competitive impact from the rebates.
Earlier this year, Intel’s case gained momentum when a legal adviser indicated that EU regulators had not sufficiently conducted an economic analysis to support their claims. This led to the court’s final decision to overturn the fine, bringing the lengthy legal struggle to a close.
