As the European Union began its first extensive probes into compliance with new Big Tech legislation, Apple, Meta, and Google could face fines totalling billions of euros.
The EU’s commissioners for digital markets and competition, Margrethe Vestager and Thierry Breton, announced five investigations into the three corporations on Monday.
The companies may be hit with hefty fines equal to 10% of their yearly revenue if it is determined that they violated the regulations.
The policies of Alphabet/Google regarding self-preferencing in search results and steering within Google Play are framed.
The EU is also examining Apple’s policies regarding app store discrimination and the layout of selection windows for browsers other than Safari.
While the Commission will closely examine Meta’s “pay or consent” strategy. On Monday, the results of five investigations were revealed.
The Commission suspects that the three gatekeepers, who were identified last autumn under the pan-EU market power and contestability regulation, are violating the rulebook, and a formal investigation is underway to find out if this is the case.
“These are serious cases,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s executive vice-president in charge of digital policy. “And [they are] emblematic of what the DMA is supposed to deliver when it comes to choice for consumers.”
“Had we been able to resolve that with a mere discussion, they would have been solved by now,” she added.
Breton said: “We are not convinced that the solutions by Alphabet, Apple and Meta respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses.
“Should our investigation conclude that there is lack of full compliance with the DMA, gatekeepers could face heavy fines.”
Following the DMA’s suggested timelines, the EU will have up to 12 months to complete the investigations.
It is possible to produce a preliminary report in six months.
Senior Commission representatives did, however, point out on Monday that the investigations might end sooner or might take longer than these guidelines.