Apple, Google under pressure as EU approves Digital Markets Act
James Batchelor
Editor-in-Chief
Wednesday 6th July 2022
The European Union has approved two new pieces of legislation that are due to shake up how online services and platforms operate in the region, with Apple and Google expected to be among those greatly affected.
The European Parliament has now adopted by the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which combined are described as the "first comprehensive rulebook for the online platforms that we all depend on in our lives."
Both will be applicable across the whole of the EU, including for companies not based in the region.
Originally proposed back in December 2020, the acts will now be formally adopted by the Council of the European Union and then published in the Official Journal. They will enter into force 20 days after their publication, estimated to be some time during autumn 2022.
The legislation is far-reaching and affects everything from hosting and intermediary services, such as internet access providers, to online marketplaces and "very large online platforms."
In the EU's announcement, Margerethe Vestager -- executive vice president for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age -- said: "Big platforms will have to refrain from promoting their own interests, share their data with other businesses, enable more app stores. Because with size comes responsibility -- as a big platform, there are things you must do and things you cannot do."
Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market added: "Ten years ago, a page was turned on 'too big to fail' banks. Now, with DSA and DMA, we're turning the page on 'too big to care' platforms."
The full impact on video games companies is yet to be determined, but of particular note is the expected effect on Apple and Google,
Read more on gamesindustry.biz
