The European Union is cracking down on big tech's unfair practices and requiring that companies like Apple, Google and Meta ensure that rivals have a chance to compete and that users aren't forced into using one kind of app or service
All of this is now regulated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law that has already begun changing smartphones for anyone living in the EU.
The deadline for DMA implementation was on March 7 when the affected companies had to report to the European Commission for the first time on whether and how exactly they plan to comply with the new law.
Here are three examples of how the law is impacting the daily digital life of anyone living in the EU:
1. Google
You may have already noticed that if you search for an address on Google, you will only see a static map section at the top of the search results.
And even if you click on it, nothing happens and you no longer automatically land on Google Maps.
If you want to take a closer look at a map, you can and must call up the provider of your choice - OpenStreetMap, Bing Maps or HERE WeGo, for example.
However, under the Google Maps map snippet in the Google Search, you can still find a directions button that leads to Google Maps.
If you want a default link between Google Maps and Google Search, you can activate it here: Myactivity.google.com/linked-services
For the link to work, you must be permanently logged into your Google account while browsing. However, some connected features such as accessing Google Maps directly from Google Search appear to still be unavailable for EU users.
In total, Google speaks of more than 20 changes in search alone that have been made due to the DMA regulations.
2. Apple
What has always been a basic feature on Android smartphones is now also be available on iPhones: competing app stores.
With the recently released iOS version 17.4, Apple is allowing the installation and use of alternative app stores.
Mobivention and Setapp are two providers that have announced their intention to distribute and sell apps in their own stores.
Why would I want another App Store? On Android, users frequently use less stringent app stores to find geoblocked apps or apps that are banned for other reasons. Apple also takes a large cut on payments made through its own App Store, meaning purchases on rival app stores could potentially be cheaper.
Anyone who has installed iOS 17.4 and opens the Safari browser will also be shown a selection list in which the default browser can be selected - instead of Apple's choosing for you. The list contains 12 browsers, which are now also allowed to use their own browser engine on iPhones.
The list for setting the default browser is also displayed to all Android users who open the Chrome browser for the first time on or after March 7.
And finally, the iOS update paves the way for alternative payment services, which can now also access the iPhone's Near Field Communication (NFC) wireless interface. This was previously reserved for Apple Pay.
3. Meta
Meta has also cleared the way for the unlinking of services. Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Facebook Messenger users can freely decide whether or not to connect these services.
This way, Meta can be prohibited from collecting user data for personalized advertising across all services.
Many of those affected are likely to have already received banner notifications when using a Meta service, informing them of the new options or requesting confirmation for existing links.
Otherwise, you can choose your preferences in the settings of the respective service or, if necessary, centrally for several Meta services in the so-called account overview: https://accountscenter.facebook.com
Meta also explains how the account overview works in detail on its support pages.
