EU to unveil landmark legislation to tackle market power of Big Tech

"...The legislation is now expected to target companies that have a market capitalisation of at least €75bn and run one core online “platform” service such as a social network or web browser, according to two people directly involved in the deal..."

"...To qualify as a “gatekeeper” — the powerful internet groups that are the focus of the new law — a company will also have to have at least 45,000 active users, the same people said..."

"...Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft all meet this standard, but it is likely to also include far more groups than previously thought such as accommodations site Booking.com and ecommerce group Alibaba..."

"The Digital Markets Act: ensuring fair and open digital markets"

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/euro...

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Examples of the “do’s” - Gatekeeper platforms will have to:

- Allow third parties to inter-operate with the gatekeeper’s own services in certain specific situations

- Allow their business users to access the data that they - generate in their use of the gatekeeper’s platform

- Provide companies advertising on their platform with the tools and information necessary for advertisers and publishers to carry out their own independent verification of their advertisements hosted by the gatekeeper

- Allow their business users to promote their offer and conclude contracts with their customers outside the gatekeeper’s platform

Example of the “don’ts” - Gatekeeper platforms may no longer:

- Don't treat services and products offered by the gatekeeper itself more favourably in ranking than similar services or products offered by third parties on the gatekeeper's platform

- Don't prevent consumers from linking up to businesses outside their platforms

- Don't prevent users from un-installing any pre-installed software or app if they wish so

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