This decision was eagerly awaited in the tech sector. Five American digital giants – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft – as well as China’s ByteDance, owner of TikTok, will be subject to new, stricter EU rules to curb anti-competitive practices, according to a list unveiled on Wednesday September 6.
The Commission has designated a total of 22 key platforms belonging to these six groups: four social networks (including Instagram and Facebook), two instant messaging services (WhatsApp and Messenger), three operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows), a search (Google), two browsers (Chrome, Safari), six intermediation services (including the App Store, Google Maps and Google Play) as well as the Youtube video sharing site.
Apple is worried
Apple said it was “very concerned” about the new EU competition rules that will apply to it, along with five other digital giants designated by Brussels on Wednesday, saying they pose problems for privacy and data security.
“We remain very concerned about the risks” that the new regulations “pose to the privacy and data security of our users,” Apple said in a statement, stressing that it would try to “mitigate” the risk. impact for its customers.