technology

EU probes Google, Apple and Meta over app stores, search rankings, user consent

investigations are looking into the tech companies’ compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which came into force recently

European Commission vice-president and competition chief Margrethe Vestager

The European Commission is probing whether Google, Apple and Facebook are adhering to the bloc’s sweeping new digital markets rules, saying it suspects they are limiting choices for both businesses and consumers.

The companies face large fines if they are found to be in breach of the rules, which only came into force less than a month ago. The rules allow the bloc unprecedented powers to regulate and fine large “systemic” online platforms, known as ...