EU Antitrust Regulators Seek Feedback on Bing and iMessage Compliance with New Tech Rules
Regulators Investigate Compliance with Digital Markets Act
EU antitrust regulators are currently seeking input from users and competitors of Microsoft and Apple regarding the compliance of Bing and iMessage with new stringent tech rules. These rules, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), have prompted investigations by the European Commission into whether these services should be subject to them. Microsoft’s Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising, as well as Apple’s iMessage, are under scrutiny after the companies disputed the EU competition regulator’s classification of these services as core platform services under the DMA.
Requirements Under the Digital Markets Act
The DMA mandates that Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and ByteDance allow for the presence of third-party apps or app stores on their platforms. Additionally, they must facilitate the seamless transition of users from default apps to competitor apps, among other obligations. To gather insights, the Commission has distributed questionnaires to rivals and users, requesting them to assess the significance of Microsoft’s services, including Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising, as well as Apple’s iMessage in comparison to competing services.
Feedback on Business User Dependence and User Base
The questionnaires also inquire about any specific aspects of these services that business users rely on and how they fit into the overall ecosystems of the respective companies. Respondents have been given a short window of time to provide feedback, as the Commission aims to complete its investigation within five months. In addition to evaluating the importance of these services, the Commission is also interested in understanding the number of users utilizing them.
Enhanced Investigation for Comprehensive Insights
By seeking feedback from both users and competitors, EU regulators hope to gather comprehensive insights into the impact and importance of Bing, Edge, Microsoft Advertising, and iMessage. The investigation aims to ensure compliance with the DMA, ultimately fostering a more competitive and accessible digital market.
