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.
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 from Bing
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
