Yazılar

EU media giants push Digital Fairness Act toward Big Tech

/in /tarafından

Major European broadcasters and publishers are urging EU regulators to ensure the upcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA) focuses on dominant tech platforms rather than traditional media companies.

Industry groups including ACT — representing firms such as Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, RTL and ITV — argue broadcasters already face heavy regulation and that applying the same digital rules broadly could damage journalism, media pluralism and advertising-supported business models.

The proposed DFA is expected to address dark patterns, addictive product design, misleading influencer tactics and subscription traps. Media groups warn that features like autoplay, recommendation engines and personalized advertising are essential business tools, not inherently harmful practices.

They are calling for a risk-based framework that targets Big Tech’s market power rather than imposing blanket obligations across structurally different industries.

EU pressures Google to open Gemini and Android AI access

/in /tarafından

The European Commission has outlined new measures requiring Google to give rival AI developers and search competitors broader access to Android features and services linked to Gemini under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The proposal aims to let competing AI assistants better integrate with Android devices, including sending emails, sharing content, ordering services and interacting with apps without Google prioritizing Gemini.

EU regulators say this would expand user choice and reduce platform favoritism. Google argues the move could weaken privacy, security and manufacturer flexibility by forcing access to sensitive device functions.

Third parties can submit feedback until May 13, with a final EU ruling expected by late July. Non-compliance could lead to fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue.

EU Charges TikTok Over Addictive App Design Under DSA

/in /tarafından

The European Union has charged TikTok with breaching online content rules, accusing the app of using addictive design features that could harm users, particularly minors. The move follows a year-long probe by the European Commission under the Digital Services Act, which empowers regulators to demand changes or impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global turnover.

Regulators cited features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendations as mechanisms that encourage compulsive use. The Commission said TikTok failed to adequately assess risks to users’ physical and mental wellbeing and did not implement sufficient safeguards, including effective screen-time controls and parental tools.

TikTok rejected the allegations, calling the preliminary findings false and saying it would challenge them. EU officials said the platform may be required to redesign core elements in Europe, including disabling infinite scroll over time, adding meaningful breaks—especially at night—and adapting its recommender system.

The action underscores the EU’s broader crackdown on Big Tech, with similar DSA charges previously brought against Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Instagram over deceptive interface designs. Regulators are also scrutinizing age-verification systems at Snapchat, YouTube, Apple, and Google as governments debate tougher limits on teen access to social media.