by The European Union met us the US threats of the retaliation on Wednesday, by accusing Google of violating its digital rules – what could trigger high fines – and to order Apple to be able to interact their iPhone better with the devices of competitors.
The moves risk risk of opening a new front in the already burdened relationship between the EU and President Donald Trump, which have gained a tough line against the technical laws of the block and warned that he will withdraw against fines for American companies.
The European Union met the Tech Titans with decisions according to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law that forces the world’s largest digital companies to open up for the competition in 27-country EU, has greatly criticized through their goals.
Apple and Google replied that the EU risked the security of European users and that their movements would hinder innovations.
In a “preliminary view”, the European Commission informed Google Parent Alphabet that its search engine treated its own services cheaper compared to competitors.
In a separate preliminary view, it also means that the Google Play App Store developers prevented from steering customers outside the store in order to obtain cheaper offers.
“Both practices have a negative impact on many European and non -European companies that rely on Google Search or Google Play to reach their users in the EU,” said the Digital Boss of Block, Henna Virkkuns.
Google quickly strike back and said that the EU’s decision “affect European companies and consumers, hinder innovation, weaken security and impair product quality”.
Google can now defend itself, but if the statement is confirmed, the law of the EU gives the prison to collect fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s total sales.
This can increase to up to 20 percent for repeat offenders.
– Apple Kaut EU – – –
The Commission, the EU’s digital watchdog, asked Apple separately to improve the compatibility of its iPhone with the products of competitors, including headphones and smartwatches.
“Effective interoperability for connected devices from third -party providers is an important step towards opening Apple’s ecosystem. This will lead to a better choice for consumers,” said the EU competition in an explanation.
Apple has accused the EU to be at risk of security and privacy, but the Commission has repeatedly rejected the claim.
“Today’s decisions are involved in bureaucracy, slow on Apple’s ability to be innovative for users in Europe, and force us to give away our new functions free of charge to companies that do not have to play according to the same rules,” said Apple.
