Google and Apple violate EU antitrust laws

On Wednesday, Google and Apple were found in violation of the European Union's antitrust laws. This decision was made by the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, and was announced in two separate press releases. Both companies are classified as "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act. This law targets anti-competitive practices among major tech firms. Google was accused of favoring its own services in search results and imposing high fees on app developers through its Google Play marketplace. If Google is found guilty, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue. Apple also received directives to comply with certain interoperability obligations. The EU wants Apple to make its products work better with third-party devices like smartwatches and TVs. Apple has been cooperating with the EU but disagrees with the new requirements, stating they hinder innovation. The EU had started investigating these tech companies back in March 2024. Apple's issues mainly revolve around its App Store fees and restrictions placed on app developers. If the company does not comply with the EU's orders, it could face further investigations and potential fines.