What will change in the future with 'DMA' where the EU obliges Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and TikTok to act openly and fairly?
In the EU,
Digital Markets Act
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_1342
◆What is regulated by DMA?
The DMA is a law that designates large platforms as 'gatekeepers' and requires gatekeepers to act fairly. In September 2023, it was confirmed that six companies, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and ByteDance, will be designated as gatekeepers, and the 'core platform services' developed by each company will be subject to regulation. The following services are subject to regulation:
・SNS
TikTok
・Intermediation
Google Maps
Google Play
Google Shopping
Amazon Marketplace
App Store
Meta Marketplace
・Advertisement service
Amazon
Meta
·browser
Chrome
Safari
・OS
Android
iOS
Windows
・N-IICS
Messenger
・Video distribution platform
YouTube
·Search engine
◆What are the benefits to users from DMA?
The DMA's regulation of gatekeepers and core platform services provides European consumers with the following benefits:
-You will be able to choose app stores and services provided by companies other than the gatekeeper, and you will be able to escape the situation where you can only choose the default option provided by the gatekeeper.
-Be able to understand how your data is being used
- Data can be moved from the service or app you are using to another service or app
・Payment methods other than those provided by gatekeepers can be used
Additionally, companies doing business within the EU will enjoy the following benefits:
・You can compete on fair terms with gatekeepers
・When deploying new services, it is possible to request gatekeepers to ensure interoperability.
・Distribute the app in places other than the app store provided by the gatekeeper
・Ability to propose products and contract with customers outside of the gatekeeper's platform
◆Response status of companies designated as gatekeepers
・Apple
Companies designated as gatekeepers have been working to comply with the DMA by the start of the regulation on March 7, 2024 (Thursday). The most notable response has been Apple, which has allowed the establishment of app stores other than the App Store in the EU, as well as the development of apps using browser engines other than Webkit .
Apple allows sideloading and payments outside the App Store in the EU in response to the Digital Markets Act, but strict conditions and new fees will be added - GIGAZINE
However, Apple imposes strict conditions on the establishment of app stores by third parties, and has been criticized by gatekeepers such as Microsoft and Meta. In fact, at the time of writing the article, no app stores other than the App Store had appeared, and Epic Games, which was aiming to establish its own game store, had its developer account revoked.
It turns out that Apple has suspended the developer account of Epic Games, which repeatedly criticizes Apple, as ``untrustworthy'' - GIGAZINE
In addition, Apple announced the discontinuation of support in the EU for ``PWA'', which allows apps on the web to be displayed on the home screen with a local app-like appearance, due to DMA support. However, Apple later changed its policy and announced that it would continue to support PWA in the EU.
Apple announces withdrawal of ``Abolition of PWA in iOS 17.4'' - GIGAZINE
・Google
In order to comply with the DMA, Google has given options on whether or not to mutually use data from each service for Google Search, YouTube, Advertising Services, Google Play, Chrome, Google Shopping, and Google Maps. We have announced that we will be giving it to users within the EU.
About DMA and linked services - Google Account Help
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/14202510?hl=ja
In addition, Google has also developed a set of APIs to promote 'payment methods that do not go through Google Play' within Android apps.
External offers APIs | Google Play's billing system | Android Developers
https://developer.android.com/google/play/billing/external
Related Posts:
in Software, Web Service, Posted by log1o_hf