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The European Commission is reviewing its ongoing investigations into Apple, Alphabet’s Google, and Meta as part of a reassessment of cases launched under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to a Financial Times report on Tuesday.
The move comes as the tech giants appeal to incoming U.S. President Donald Trump to challenge what they describe as overly aggressive enforcement by EU regulators.
The review may result in changes or reductions to the scope of the investigations and will encompass all cases initiated since March 2024 under the DMA.
This landmark legislation, implemented in 2022, is among the strictest regulations aimed at curbing Big Tech’s market dominance.
It imposes obligations on tech companies to ensure fair competition, moderate content effectively, and simplify consumer access to alternative services.
During the reassessment period, the Commission will pause all decisions and potential fines related to the cases, although technical work on the investigations will continue.
European regulators are reportedly awaiting political guidance before finalizing decisions regarding the ongoing probes into Apple, Google, and Meta.
The companies have sought support from President-elect Trump, urging him to address what they perceive as overreach by the EU. These appeals highlight growing tensions between the U.S. and European regulators over differing approaches to managing the influence of major technology firms.
The DMA was enacted to limit the power of Big Tech and create a level playing field for smaller competitors. However, the reassessment underscores the challenges of enforcing such regulations while balancing political and economic considerations.
As the EU continues its review, the outcome is expected to have significant implications for global competition law, the future operations of Big Tech in Europe, and the broader regulatory landscape.