The European Commission (EC) has initiated a comprehensive review of its investigations into major US technology companies, including Apple, Meta, and Google. According to the Financial Times, citing officials, this review may lead the EC to scale back or alter its approach to all cases that have been opened under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) since March 2024. We’ll keep you updated on any significant changes that arise from this review.
US Pressure and Political Factors
This strategic review coincides with calls from US companies urging President-elect Donald Trump to step in, arguing that the EU is exerting excessive coercion on their operations. An EU official indicated that the aftermath of Trump’s election to the US presidency played a role in prompting this review, although they clarified that it was not the sole reason behind the decision. As a result, all decisions made by the regulator, including potential fines, have been suspended until the review is finalized. However, technical work on the ongoing cases will continue, ensuring that the investigations progress without delay, as reported by sources to the Financial Times.
Ongoing Investigations and EC’s Commitment
The EC’s investigations vary in their stages of progress. Some cases are still in the preliminary phases, while others have advanced significantly. For instance, Google was anticipated to face charges in the probe concerning its app store late last year. Currently, regulators are waiting for political leadership to finalize decisions related to the cases involving Google, Apple, and Meta.
Despite the ongoing review and external pressures, the EC has reiterated its dedication to enforcing its regulations effectively, adds NIX Solutions. An EU spokesperson stated, “We remain fully committed to the effective enforcement of our rules.” They emphasized that there are no delays in concluding open cases, explicitly denying that any political considerations are causing hold-ups. The spokesperson further explained that the current investigations are “not yet ready at a technical level” due to their inherent complexity, the novelty of the issues at hand, and the necessity to “ensure the legal certainty of the Commission’s decisions.” We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.