Brussels, February 19, 2025 – The European Union is set to announce next month whether Apple and Meta have complied with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), signaling its determination to hold Big Tech accountable despite geopolitical tensions with the Trump administration.
EU’s Stand Against Tech Giants
Teresa Ribera, the EU’s Competition Chief, confirmed in an interview with Reuters that the bloc will not back down on its investigations into Apple, Meta, and other U.S. tech firms, even as Donald Trump’s presidency strains EU-U.S. relations.
🔹 Digital Markets Act (DMA) & Digital Services Act (DSA) – Laws aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices and protecting consumers.
🔹 Focus on U.S. tech firms – Investigations target Apple, Meta, Alphabet, Amazon, and X (formerly Twitter).
🔹 Trump Administration’s Response – Criticizes EU rules as “too many regulations” and calls them a hidden form of taxation.
Key Issues Under Scrutiny
✅ Apple:
- Forced to allow third-party app stores on iOS.
- Investigated for potential anti-competitive practices.
✅ Meta:
- Required to ensure fair competition in online classified ads (Facebook Marketplace under investigation).
✅ X (formerly Twitter):
- Under EU scrutiny for hosting illegal content (despite Elon Musk’s ties to Trump).
EU’s Commitment to Competition & Regulation
📌 Ribera emphasized that the investigations are about upholding EU rules, not targeting specific owners.
📌 The Commission has the power to fine or block mergers if firms stifle competition.
Next Steps
🔜 EU ruling expected in March 2025 on whether Apple & Meta are DMA-compliant.
🔜 Possible heavy fines or additional restrictions if violations are found.
With regulatory pressure intensifying, the EU’s crackdown on tech monopolies remains a key battleground in global digital governance.
