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As
part of its latest crackdown on Big Tech, the European Union in
September picked 22 "gatekeeper" services, run by six of the
world's biggest tech companies, to face new rules .
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires these gatekeepers to
inter-operate their messaging apps with competitors and allow
users to decide which apps they pre-install on their devices.
The DMA will apply to services from Alphabet, Amazon, Apple,
Meta, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance.
Those disagreeing with the label and its requirements have until
Nov. 16 to take their complaint to the Luxembourg-based General
Court, which deals with cases ranging from competition law to
trade and the environment.
A Google spokesperson said it will not appeal the decision.
Alphabet's Google has the highest number of services, including
its Android operating system, maps and search, which will face
tougher rules under the DMA.
Google has adopted a strategy in recent years of working rather
than fighting EU regulators, and it would be hard for the
company to win as it is the dominant player, according to
sources familiar with the matter.
Companies such as Zalando and Amazon have challenged the Digital
Services Act (DSA), seen as a companion legislation to the DMA,
which imposes greater responsibilities on tech firms for the
content shared on their sites.
Amazon, which had previously said it will continue to work
constructively with the European Commission, declined comment.
"We accept our designation as a gatekeeper under the Digital
Markets Act and will continue to work with the European
Commission to meet the obligations imposed on Windows and
LinkedIn under the DMA," a Microsoft spokesperson said.
Industry sources told Reuters that other companies such as
TikTok and Meta could likely file challenges. Meta's Facebook,
Instagram, Marketplace, and WhatsApp qualified as gatekeepers.
Meta and TikTok declined to comment.
TikTok earlier said that it fundamentally disagreed with the
gatekeeper designation.
Apple, which Bloomberg News reported on Friday is also likely to
challenge its designation, did not respond to requests for
comment.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Supantha Mukherjee in
Stockholm; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Alexander Smith)
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