Apple and Meta face the guillotine of the digital markets law
The European Union is preparing to enter a crucial phase in its confrontation with American tech giants, as it is expected to announce its final decision next month regarding Apple and Meta's compliance with strict digital markets regulations. Reflecting Brussels' unwavering stance, Teresa Ribera, the EU's Commissioner for Competition, affirmed that the bloc will not back down from its investigations, despite the dramatic shift in relations with Washington following Donald Trump's presidency.
Riebera explained that European laws, particularly the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, are designed to protect citizens and prevent the abuse of market dominance. She emphasized that the EU remains committed to its principles and values of unity and democracy and cannot compromise on them. These statements come in response to criticism from the Trump administration, which considers European regulations "excessive regulatory burdens" and classifies the measures against American companies as a form of "indirect taxation."
Companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, and X are facing increasing pressure from the Commission. Apple has already been forced to allow third-party app stores on iOS, while Meta is under investigation for monopolistic practices related to Facebook Marketplace. The scrutiny also extends to Elon Musk's X platform, a Trump ally, about which Ribera emphasized that the issue is not about the owner's identity, but rather the platform's compliance with rules against illegal content.
Ribera possesses broad powers that allow her to block major mergers or impose fines of billions of euros, making next month a true test of the strength of European law in the face of the unpredictability of Trump's trade policies. Brussels appears determined to press ahead with its digital sovereignty, believing that protecting fair competition takes precedence over any fleeting political considerations with the new US administration.
