EU Not Reassessing Apple and Google Antitrust Investigations, But New Administration Could Shift Priorities

[MacRumors]

The European Union is "reassessing" its investigations into big U.S. tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Google, claims Financial Times, though a spokesperson from the European Commission has denied that such a review is taking place.

Tech CEOs like Apple's Tim Cook and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg have been cozying up to president-elect Donald Trump as he prepares to take office, and Financial Times suggests that probes launched under the Digital Markets Act could be scaled back. A senior EU diplomat told the site that "So much is up in the air right now," while other officials said that regulators are holding for "political direction" to make final decisions in cases involving Apple, Google, and Meta.

A spokesperson for the European Commission told Financial Times that there is "no such review taking place," but that the EC has "upcoming meetings to assess the general readiness of an investigation." None of the cases are "ready at a technical level," but the EC remains "fully committed to the effective enforcement of its rules."

The European Commission launched an investigation into Apple's compliance with the Digital Markets Act last year, and determined that it was not in compliance. A November report suggested that the European Commission is gearing up to fine Apple for failing to implement changes allowing developers to steer users to cheaper prices outside of the App Store.

Apple overhauled its App Store rules in Europe in 2024, and made several changes to satisfy regulators. European developers are able to distribute apps outside of the App Store, and there are new fee structures and policies in place.

The EU in 2024 fined Apple $2 billion for anticompetitive behavior against third-party music services, and if Apple is fined over DMA non-compliance, the fee could be higher. Under the DMA, the European Union is able to fine Apple up to 10 percent of its global annual sales.

Back in October, Trump claimed that Cook called him to complain about penalties from the European Union. At the time, Trump said that he is "not going to let them take advantage of our companies."

With Margrethe Vestager and Thierry Breton having stepped down from the European Commission, priorities could change. The EC's chief spokesperson said that there could be a "political reality" that "puts pressure on the technical work." The EC "will be looking and assessing on the basis of concrete measures and actions from the new administration."

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Article Link: EU Not Reassessing Apple and Google Antitrust Investigations, But New Administration Could Shift Priorities

 

[entropys]

Fascinating that this seems more driven by political leadership in both the EU and USA, and whether anything happens at all depending on who it is in power and what their reaction might be.

It isn’t about corporate behaviour at all.

 

[klasma]

Fascinating that this seems more driven by political leadership in both the EU and USA, and whether anything happens at all depending on who it is in power and what their reaction might be.

It isn’t about corporate behaviour at all.

It’s about policy regarding corporate behavior. Of course different leadership can decide to apply different policies, or to emphasize existing policies differently. Assuming that leadership is elected, that’s democracy.

 

[TigerNike23]

The EU has to know Trump is very transactional. American-based tech companies donated to his inaugural fund, and they expect things in return.

Now sure, the EU could continue to go after Apple and Google if they want, but they do need to be cognizant of the American situation, and a wrong move could result in tariffs.

 

[jz0309]

interesting ... caving in already ...

 

[jz0309]

It’s about policy regarding corporate behavior. Of course different leadership can decide to apply different policies, or to emphasize existing policies differently. Assuming that leadership is elected, that’s democracy.

politicians at their best - politics, nothing else

 

[arkitect]

The EU has to know Trump is very transactional. American-based tech companies donated to his inaugural fund, and they expect things in return.

Now sure, the EU could continue to go after Apple and Google if they want, but they do need to be cognizant of the American situation, and a wrong move could result in tariffs.

You mean, held hostage? Blackmail?
My my… America.

 

[GMShadow]

American enterprises are not responsible for the total failure of Europe to be remotely competitive. It'll be good to have an administration that reminds the EU of this fact.

 

[frownface]

i've said it before, and i'll say it again. I don't remember the EU being this proactive back when european companies nokia and ericsson owned the majority of the market

 

[jz0309]

You mean, held hostage? Blackmail?
My my… America.

like him or not, he's already said there will be tariffs incl (but not limited) to EU goods, so, this is in preparation for negotiations ...

 

[TigerNike23]

You mean, held hostage? Blackmail?
My my… America.

As an American who didn’t support this person, I will just say good luck figuring out a way to prosecute those charges of blackmail. Where exactly would the EU go? The WTO? The UN?

 

[jlc1978]

The EU has to know Trump is very transactional. American-based tech companies donated to his inaugural fund, and they expect things in return.

Now sure, the EU could continue to go after Apple and Google if they want, but they do need to be cognizant of the American situation, and a wrong move could result in tariffs.

Exactly. The donation have nothing to do with Trump’s policies; they know by cozying up to him and feeding his ego he will do what they want and he will tout how tough he is and MAGA.

 

[surferfb]

There's also been an administration change in the EU anti-competition regime. Wonder what role that has in all of this.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Vestager was trying to rush to get things done as she knew that her term was ending. And it was ending due to poor decisions she’d made elsewhere, and she just kept making poor decisions.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

American enterprises are not responsible for the total failure of Europe to be remotely competitive. It'll be good to have an administration that reminds the EU of this fact.

The fact is, the regulations in the EU forbid any world class tech companies from existing in the EU. So, rather than realize that and make some reforms, they’re trying to sell the idea that “you need us as much as we need you.” No, without the EU, tech companies lose cash, that’s it. And they’d still have MORE than enough cash to run their companies.

Without the non-EU tech companies, the EU would not have ANY kind of tech future.

 

[MysteriousStain]

Will be interesting to see if this is all blowing smoke. 2025 will be one for the political text books.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

interesting ... caving in already ...

That was almost guaranteed once Vestager left. She had a single minded mission to reduce the profits of US companies and tried to dress it up as something else. Her replacement is nowhere near as interested in that sort of showboating.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

there is "no such review taking place," but that the EC has "upcoming meetings to assess the general readiness of an investigation." None of the cases are "ready at a technical level,"

“No such review” is taking place because none of the cases are ready. Hard to review anything that’s not even in a position to be reviewed!

Now, how long is it going to take to get them “technically ready?” Indefinitely, sounds like.

 

[BC2009]

With all of Trump’s tariff talk, I am sure the EU is expecting some retaliation if they continue abusing US-based companies and extorting them for money.

 

[vantelimus]

This was never about competition, fair play, and protecting consumers. It has been EU protectionism and the anti-business ideology of a career bureaucrat. With Vestager gone, she won't be blocking mergers that have the chance to produce European industrial champions that can compete on the world stage. I'm sure the EU General Court will be happy to no longer spend time annulling her decisions.

 

[God of Biscuits]

Fascinating that this seems more driven by political leadership in both the EU and USA, and whether anything happens at all depending on who it is in power and what their reaction might be.

It isn’t about corporate behaviour at all.

That's not a valid conclusion. Of course it's about corporate behavior. Time and time again, it's demonstrated that conservative politicians hate regulations and will slow or stop these kinds of proceedings whenever they can. That has nothing to do with the actual behavior of the corporations.

 

[God of Biscuits]

This was never about competition, fair play, and protecting consumers. It has been EU protectionism and the anti-business ideology of a career bureaucrat. With Vestager gone, she won't be blocking mergers that have the chance to produce European industrial champions that can compete on the world stage. I'm sure the EU General Court will be happy to no longer spend time annulling her decisions.

"compete on the world stage". While users suffer, but as long as corporations get bigger than governments, who cares about people, right?

 

[God of Biscuits]

With all of Trump’s tariff talk, I am sure the EU is expecting some retaliation if they continue abusing US-based companies and extorting them for money.

Because US tariffs aren't about extorting money from EU-based and other non-US-based companies?

 

[God of Biscuits]

The fact is, the regulations in the EU forbid any world class tech companies from existing in the EU. So, rather than realize that and make some reforms, they’re trying to sell the idea that “you need us as much as we need you.” No, without the EU, tech companies lose cash, that’s it. And they’d still have MORE than enough cash to run their companies.

Without the non-EU tech companies, the EU would not have ANY kind of tech future.

Tell that to ASML.

 

[surferfb]

"compete on the world stage". While users suffer, but as long as corporations get bigger than governments, who cares about people, right?

Vestager was actively making Apple’s products worse for end users. Full stop. Just because she dressed it up with lies that “Alternate App Stores will be make prices lower for consumers” doesn’t change that fact that Apple’s products are worse because of her.