Should new tech rules apply to Microsoft’s Bing and Apple’s iMessage, EU asks. According to sources familiar with the situation, EU antitrust officials are asking Bing users and Microsoft (MSFT.O) competitors if they should adhere to more stringent tech regulations and whether that should be the case for Apple’s (AAPL.O) iMessage.
The European Commission launched investigations in September to determine if Apple’s iMessage, Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising should be included under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). After the corporations disputed the EU competition regulator’s designation of these services as key platform services under the DMA, investigations followed.
Among other things, the DMA mandates that Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google, Amazon (AMZN.O), Meta Platforms (META.O), and ByteDance make it simpler for customers to move from default programs to competitors and permit third-party apps or app shops on their platforms.
Early in the month, the Commission sent surveys asking consumers and competitors to rank the significance of Apple’s iMessage and the three services offered by Microsoft compared to other alternatives.
According to those with knowledge of the situation, the EU watchdog enquired as to whether there was anything particular regarding the services that business customers depend on and how they fit into the ecosystems of the corporations.
It also requested how many people were utilizing the services. Less than a week was provided to respondents to offer their opinions. Within five months, the Commission hopes to wrap up its inquiry.
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