Google and Apple risk fines under EU’s Digital Markets Act

Google has been charged with two violations of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), while Apple has been ordered to allow greater interoperability with rival devices.

The European Commission accused Google of restricting app developers from promoting external offers outside its Play Store and favouring its own services, such as Google Flights, over competitors in search results. If found guilty, the company could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.

The Commission also directed Apple to make its iPhones and iPads more accessible to rival smartphone and accessory makers. Additionally, Apple must respond to app developers’ requests for interoperability with its systems within a set timeframe.

Both companies pushed back against the EU’s findings, with Google arguing that compliance could harm consumers and businesses, while Apple claimed the rules would slow innovation and unfairly benefit competitors.

Regulators have intensified their crackdown on Big Tech despite warnings from the United States government against targeting American firms.

Google has already been fined over €8 billion for previous antitrust violations in Europe, and failure to comply with the latest orders could lead to further penalties for both tech giants.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.