EU kicks off review of controversial Big Tech rule book

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The European Commission has initiated a review of its Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation aimed at ensuring fair competition within the tech industry dominated by major players like Meta, Google, and Amazon
• The DMA, fully implemented in 2024, has sparked controversy, particularly in the US, where the government views it as a non-tariff trade barrier
• The Commission is now seeking public feedback on its effectiveness and whether changes are needed to better address the evolving tech landscape

🔭 The context: The DMA targets Big Tech companies, imposing rules on them to ensure they do not abuse their market dominance
• The regulation has become a key point of contention in international trade, particularly between the EU and the US
• The EU is now consulting stakeholders to assess whether the DMA’s core objectives of ensuring fairness and competitiveness in digital markets have been met, and whether the scope of services covered needs expansion

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The review of the DMA is significant for global tech regulation, setting precedents for how digital markets will be governed
• As digital platforms increasingly influence global economies and societies, ensuring that these platforms operate fairly and competitively is crucial for maintaining digital sovereignty and economic equity across regions

⏭️ What's next: The European Commission will consider the feedback gathered by September 24 before determining whether to revise the DMA or its list of regulated services
• Upcoming discussions in the European Parliament may further influence whether AI chatbots and cloud services should be added to the regulation's scope

💬 One quote: "The Commission is obliged to review the regulation by mid-2026," — a European Commission spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of periodic reviews in adapting to the fast-evolving digital landscape

📈 One stat: The DMA regulates six major Big Tech companies: Meta, Google, Alphabet, Apple, ByteDance, and Amazon, collectively controlling a significant portion of the global digital market.

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon under the EU’s regulatory framework.

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