The European Commission is surveying Microsoft’s users and rivals whether Bing should be forced to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The same question is also being asked about Apple’s iMessage, with the DMA designed to level the playing field for smaller tech companies and give consumers more choices. (via Reuters)
The DMA requires large tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, and Meta to allow for third-party apps or app stores on their platforms and to make it easier for users to switch from default apps to rivals.
The Commission is also asking about the importance of Microsoft’s services and Apple’s iMessage versus competing services. It also wants to know if there is anything specific to the services that business users rely on and how they fit into the companies’ ecosystems.
The Commission wants to complete its investigation within five months. It also asked the surveyees of its latest probe into Bing and iMessage to deliver their responses within less than a week
If the Commission decides that Bing and iMessage should comply with the DMA, it could mean some changes to how the services are used. For example, users might be able to use third-party messaging apps on their iPhones as the default. It’s still too early to say what the final outcome will be, but the Commission’s investigation is a sign that it is serious about regulating big tech.
The EU is concerned that big tech companies are too powerful and are abusing their market dominance. The DMA is designed to address these concerns by creating a more fair and competitive market for digital services. The Commission believes that the DMA will benefit consumers and businesses alike. Consumers will have more choices, while businesses will be able to compete more effectively against big tech.
Microsoft and Apple have both contested the Commission’s decision to label their services as core platform services under the DMA. They argue that their services are not essential and that forcing them to comply with the DMA would harm consumers and innovation. However, the Commission has defended its decision, arguing that Microsoft and Apple’s services are essential and that they have a significant impact on competition in the digital market.
The Commission is currently gathering feedback from Microsoft’s users and rivals, as well as Apple’s iMessage users and rivals. Once the Commission has finished gathering feedback, it will make a decision about whether or not Bing and iMessage should comply with the DMA.