Europe's Digital Markets Act came into effect this week, changing internet rules and imposing tough new standards on big technology companies. Now, the world is watching to see which giant breaks the law first. One of DMA's architects says Apple is a strong candidate for the first formal investigation, describing the company as a “low-hanging fruit.”
Apple has faced increasing pressure in recent years from competitors, regulators and courts in Europe and the United States over restrictions it imposes on app makers that must rely on the App Store to reach millions of users. There is. Yesterday, Apple announced its intention to terminate the developer account of Fornite publisher Epic Games, which has been challenging the company in US courts, and recently launch an Apple App Store rival.
German lawmaker Andreas Schwab, who led the negotiations to finalize the DMA on behalf of the EU parliament, says Apple is therefore likely to be the first target for violations. “[This] They gave me a clear expectation that I wanted to be the first,” he told WIRED. “His Apple approach to all of this is a bit strange and therefore would be easy to achieve.”
Schwab is not involved in DMA enforcement. This is being overseen by the European Commission, which has already requested “further explanation” as to why Apple suspended Epic's account and is assessing whether this violates the DMA.
“Apple's approach to Digital Markets Law has been guided by two simple goals: to comply with the law and to reduce the inevitable and increased risks that the DMA poses to EU users,” an Apple spokesperson said. The company said in a statement sent to WIRED by representative Rob Saunders. Apple said on its website that alternative app stores carry the risk of malware, illegal code, and other harmful content.
The DMA rules, aimed at “breaking open” technology platforms, require Apple to allow iPhone users to download apps from places other than Apple's official App Store. epic game store, announced The store, scheduled to be launched by Fortnite maker Epic in January, was supposed to be the first alternative app store to utilize the new system.
Apple told WIRED that it had the right to terminate Epic's account pursuant to a 2021 California court ruling. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been a vocal critic of what he describes as his Apple style.App store exclusiveBut in January, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to hear the latest episode in a long-running antitrust dispute between the two companies, in a victory for smartphone makers.
The DMA took effect at midnight on March 7 in Brussels and at 3 p.m. in Silicon Valley. From that moment on, six of the world's biggest tech companies (Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Beijing-based TikTok owner ByteDance) created a system designed to improve competition in the digital market. A new set of rules must be followed.
In addition to Apple having to allow external apps, Microsoft Windows will no longer use Microsoft-owned Bing as its default search tool. Meta'sWhatsApp users will be able to communicate with people on the rival messaging app. And Google and Amazon will need to tweak their search results to create more room for rivals. Companies that do not comply with the new rules could be fined up to 20 percent of their global turnover.