European Regulators Tighten Reins on Big Tech

European regulators have intensified scrutiny of Big Tech through the implementation of the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act. Investigations and fines have impacted major players such as Meta, Apple, and Google, aiming to ensure fair competition and safer online environments. Individual EU countries have also taken significant actions.

In recent years, European regulators have intensified scrutiny of Big Tech, implementing a series of investigations and regulatory measures aimed at curbing their influence and ensuring fair competition.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect in 2022, seeks to limit the power of tech giants and create a level playing field for smaller companies. The European Commission has charged Meta for non-compliance with the DMA and has launched multiple investigations into Apple and Google.

Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), tech companies are now required to address illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Meta's services, including Facebook and Instagram, are under investigation for breaches related to child safety. Concurrently, antitrust actions have resulted in significant fines for Google and Apple, further intensifying regulatory pressure. Individual European countries have also initiated actions, with the UK's antitrust regulator targeting Google's dominance in digital advertising and Spain probing Apple's App Store for potential anti-competitive behavior.

(With inputs from agencies.)