The parent company behind Google is accused of not complying with the Digital Markets Act, and Apple must address interoperability.
In March last year, the European Commission launched an investigation into Google, Apple and Meta to assess whether they comply with the rules of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Google and Apple have already been reprimanded. Google is said to be ranking its own services higher in search results, and Apple must open up its devices for collaboration with other parties.
Too Much Self-Love at Google
The Commission states that Google displays its own services, such as hotel bookings or sports results, more prominently in search results. The company is said to be depriving app developers of the ability to direct users to cheaper alternatives outside the Play Store. Additionally, Google charges fees when app developers direct users to services other than those of the tech giant. In essence, these parties should be able to compete for free.
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‘Apple fails to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act’
Google disagrees with these accusations and claims that it only benefits the safety of Android users. Oliver Bethell, senior director for EMEA competition at Google: “Unlike iOS, where Apple must first review apps, developers on Android can freely distribute apps,” Bethell said. “If we can’t protect our users from fraud, the commission is effectively forcing us to choose between a closed model and an unsafe model.”
Apple Must Open Up Devices to Competition
In addition to Google, Apple is also taking hits, according to The Register. The Commission has given Apple instructions to open up the connectivity of iOS devices to competitors. This means that Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, smart TVs, among others, should work better with an iPhone or iPad.
Apple is also angry about the accusations and states that “the decisions wrap us in bureaucracy, slow down our ability to innovate for users in Europe, and other companies don’t have to follow the same rules.”
This is the first time that concrete measures have been established dictating how a gatekeeper must comply with the DMA. For Google, the European Commission still needs to form a final decision.