September 6, 2023
EU designates Big Tech gatekeepers under Digital Markets Act
The European Commission named six gatekeeper companies on September 6, 2023 under the Digital Markets Act — Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and MicrosoftThe software giant behind Windows, Office, Azure, and Xbox — founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. — triggering interoperability and anti-self-preferencing obligations.
What it was for
The DMA forced Apple to allow alternative App StoreApple's marketplace for iOS apps — centralized distribution and in-app purchases on iPhone.s in the EU, required messaging interoperability discussions, and banned tying practices that locked users into platform defaults. Developers building on iOSApple's mobile operating system — runs iPhone and iPad with a sandboxed app ecosystem., AndroidGoogle's open mobile operating system — the dominant platform for smartphones worldwide., and marketplaces gained new leverage — and new complianceFollowing laws and industry rules — privacy, security, and financial regulations for software companies. work — as regulators worldwide copied the gatekeeper model.
Why it's here
DMA gatekeeper designations turned EU competition law into enforceable product requirements.
Why it mattered
It mandated sideloading, choice screens, and data portability for the largest platforms.
What it solved
Dominant platforms used default settings and walled gardens to block rival apps and services.
Media
- ImageDigital Markets Act
User:Verdy p, User:-xfi-, User:Paddu, User:Nightstallion, User:Funakoshi, User:Jeltz, User:Dbenbenn, User:Zscout370, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- U.S. judge rules Microsoft violated antitrust lawApril 3, 2000
- EU General Data Protection Regulation takes effectMay 25, 2018
- iPhone App Store opensJuly 10, 2008