Europeans now have the liberty to select their preferred online services, such as browsers, search engines, and iPhone apps, along with determining the usage of their personal online data.
These changes stem from the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a set of laws introduced by the European Union targeting major technology firms including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google (under Alphabet), Meta (formerly Facebook), and ByteDance (owner of TikTok).
This legislation marks Europe’s ongoing efforts to regulate large tech companies, requiring them to adapt their business practices. Notably, Apple has agreed to allow users to download smartphone apps from sources other than its App Store. The DMA applies to 22 services ranging from operating systems to messaging apps and social media platforms, affecting prominent offerings like Google Maps, YouTube, Amazon’s Marketplace, Apple’s Safari browser, Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Microsoft Windows, and LinkedIn.
Companies found in violation of the DMA could face hefty fines, up to 20% of their global annual revenue, and even potential breakup for severe breaches. The impact of these rules is not limited to Europe, as other countries, including Japan, Britain, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, and India, are considering similar legislation to curb tech giants’ dominance in online markets.
This article has been indexed from CySecurity News – Latest Information Security and Hacking Incidents
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