How the EU’s DMA is changing Big Tech: all of the news and updates
The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) has come into force, and it's meant that some of the world's biggest tech companies are having to make major changes to how they operate.
The law, which is designed to increase competition in the EU's digital markets, designates some large online companies and their services as gatekeepers." Those that have received the gatekeeper designation - the companies on the list are Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft - have to meet strict requirements intended to reduce anticompetitive behavior.
Specific changes include Apple allowing alternative app stores on iOS, Meta making WhatsApp interoperable with other messaging services, and Google letting EU users choose which services share their data. But it's likely we haven't seen the last of the changes brought about by the DMA, as critics push back against how the likes of Apple are complying with the law in the hope that it'll change its approach.
You can read all of our coverage about the DMA below.
- The first iOS 18.4 developer beta is here, with support for Priority Notifications
- Apple pushed hard by EU to make iOS and iPadOS more interoperable
- A return to Google's 10 blue links.
- Apple reportedly facing first-ever EU fine over App Store rules
- The EU deems X not important" enough for DMA regulations.
- Google Search results are next on the EU's list.
- Apple put on notice over support for third-party watches and headphones
- The Epic Games Store arrives on iPad in the EU
- Setapp Mobile's open beta adds more apps for European iPhone users
- European iPad users can soon download apps from third-party stores
- WhatsApp will send messages to other apps soon - here's how it will look
- EU iPhones will be able to change the default phone and messaging apps soon
- Apple is shaking up how it manages the App Store
- Playing Fortnite on iPhone again has shown me an alternate future
- Apple adds nearly endless 20 percent fee for developers in latest EU update
- Court rejects TikTok's effort to skirt EU competition rules.
- Epic says its EU iOS app store is approved but that Apple wants a change
- Epic is one step closer to relaunching Fortnite on iPhones - in the EU.
- Fortnite is getting closer to a return on iOS in the EU.
- Facebook and Instagram's pay or consent' ad model violates the DMA, says the EU
- EU competition chief isn't happy with Apple's AI snub.
- Apple is first company charged with violating EU's DMA rules
- Apple may delay AI features in the EU because of its big tech law
- Apple and Meta could face charges for violating EU tech rules
- Apple could soon face charges in the EU over its App Store policy.
- Four Apple App Store alternatives are now live in Europe.
- We tested Aptoide, the first free iPhone app store alternative
- Web-based app distribution is go in Europe.
- Setapp Mobile is a completely new take on the iPhone's app store
- The EU's list of gatekeeper services hits 24.
- Why Spotify is still fighting with Apple in Europe
- Apple gives small developers more ways around its alternative app store tax
- iPads join iPhones in requirement to follow strict EU rules
- Third-party iPhone app store AltStore PAL is now live in Europe
- The latest iOS 17.5 beta allows EU users to download apps from the web.
- Third-party browsers report record iPhone users.
- Google's blog post takes jabs at Europe's Digital Markets Act.
- iOS 17.5 supports website distribution of apps in Europe.
- A first look at Europe's alternative iPhone app stores
- Apple, Meta, and Google targeted by EU in DMA non-compliance investigations
- Another look at WhatsApp's third-party chat support - now in video form.
- The EU's antitrust chief is paying close attention to Apple's DMA compliance.
- Opera's mobile browser is getting a lot of new users in the EU.
- Spotify says its iPhone app updates in the EU are getting held up by Apple
- Firefox saw an increase in users following Apple's default browser changes in the EU.
- Brave choice.
- Epic Games just got unbanned by Apple - again
- Apple will cut off third-party app store updates if your iPhone leaves the EU for a month
- Apple's last-minute App Store changes come with a catch - here's what developers think
- Apple is working to make it easier to switch from iPhone to Android because of the EU
- Hello and goodbye to the MacBook Air
- Meta explains how WhatsApp's encrypted chats will work with third-party services
- Apple kills Epic's iOS game store plans over App Store criticism
- Experts fear the DMA won't change the status quo
- Here's the new iOS default browser nag for iPhone users in Europe.
- The EU's new competition rules are going live - here's how tech giants are responding
- iOS 17.4 is here and ready for a whole new Europe
- Google's making game devs an offer they probably can't refuse.
- Play Store developers can link to outside payment offers in the EU this week.
- This third-party iOS app store will be available in Europe this week.
- Apple tells its support staff not to shoot from the hip about sideloading.
- Here's a peek under WhatsApp's hood at how third-party chats will work.
- Now Apple says it won't disable iPhone web apps in the EU
- Spotify and Epic criticize Apple's iOS changes as a mockery of the DMA'
- Setapp is opening its subscription-only iOS app store
- Apple's decision to drop iPhone web apps comes under scrutiny in the EU
- Apple will reportedly face a $539 million fine over Spotify's antitrust complaint
- Apple unbanned Epic so it can make an iOS games store in the EU
- Yep, Apple's breaking iPhone web apps in the EU
- Apple appears to be breaking iPhone web apps in the EU
- Google's not happy about Apple and Microsoft escaping some DMA rules.
- TikTok's attempt to stall DMA antitrust rules rejected by EU court
- Apple opens its doors to developers' alternative app stores ahead of March launch.
- Here's how WhatsApp plans to interoperate with other messaging apps
- Meta says Apple has made it very difficult' to build rival app stores in the EU
- Spotify accuses Apple of extortion' with new App Store tax
- Mozilla says Apple's new browser rules are as painful as possible' for Firefox
- Apple explains the EU's new iPhone/iPad split.
- Apple's new default browser prompt for EU market iPhones will have a dozen options.
- Dirty tricks or small wins: developers are skeptical of Apple's App Store rules
- Here's the new Apple tax every developer is going to hate
- Epic intends to launch its game store -and Fortnite -on iOS
- Epic's Tim Sweeney calls Apple App Store changes hot garbage'
- Apple is bringing sideloading and alternate app stores to the iPhone
- Apple's EU-induced iOS sideloading plans are starting to emerge.
- Spotify plans to launch in-app purchases, if Apple gets out of the way
- Meta will let EU users unlink their Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger info ahead of DMA
- Google Search, Chrome, and Android are all changing thanks to EU antitrust law
- Google will now let EU users select which services share their data, thanks to the DMA
- Apple appeals after EU's tough new DMA rules target App Store
- Threads is counting down to an EU launch next week
- Apple says iPhones will support RCS in 2024
- The EU will finally free Windows users fromBing
- TikTok joins Meta in appealing gatekeeper" status in EU.
- Meta will fight the EU over regulating Messenger
- Apple expects" to make App Store changes due to legislation like the EU's DMA.
- Google turns to regulators to make Apple open up iMessage
- WhatsApp is working on cross-platform messaging
- iMessage and Bing avoid strict DMA rules, for now
- Google Search, WhatsApp, and TikTok on list of 22 services targeted by EU's tough new DMA
- Apple and Microsoft reportedly want iMessage and Bing off the EU's tech gatekeeper' list
- Here's why Threads is delayed in Europe
- Seven big tech companies say they're platform gatekeepers under EU law
- Meta is planning to let people in the EU download apps through Facebook
- Apple is reportedly preparing to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone
- Google will let European Play Store users pay with alternate billing systems
- The EU could start enforcing rules to regulate Big Tech in spring 2023
- New EU law could spark gold rush of iMessage alternatives
- Security experts say new EU rules will damage WhatsApp encryption
- Apple would be forced to allow sideloading and third-party app stores under new EU law
- EU targets Big Tech with sweeping new antitrust legislation