Microsoft and Google to embrace EU ‘gatekeeper’ status

Microsoft and Google have decided not to contest the ‘gatekeeper’ label under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that mandates easier user mobility across competing services like social media platforms and internet browsers. As a part of its recent efforts to regulate Big Tech, the European Union selected 22 ‘gatekeeper’ services operated by six major tech companies to be subject to new rules. Under the law, these gatekeepers are required to enable interoperability of their messaging apps with competitors and allow users to choose which apps they want pre-installed on their devices.

The DMA applies to services offered by Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok’s parent company ByteDance. Companies that have objections to the label of ‘gatekeeper’ and its associated obligations can lodge their complaints until November 16 with the EU General Court in Luxembourg, which handles a wide range of cases related to competition law, trade, and environmental matters.

At the moment, Amazon, TikTok, Meta, and Apple are expected to contest the gatekeeper designation imposed by the European Commission. Meta and TikTok have refrained from providing any statements. Meanwhile, Amazon has already challenged the Digital Services Act (DSA), the accompanying law to the DMA, which increased obligations on companies regarding the content that is shared on their platforms. Additionally, Apple is anticipated to challenge its designation but has not commented.