Latest EU Legislation Targets Major Tech Companies
The Digital Markets Act aims to create an even playing field by enforcing a number of new rules in the social media industry.
The European Parliament are set to introduce a new legislation which will shake things up for the tech giants, in order to level the competition between them and the smaller companies.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA), which has yet to be approved, will force companies such as Facebook and Google – who are described as ‘gatekeepers’ in the legislation – to “interoperate with smaller platforms, if they so request.”
The gatekeeper category is used to describe all those companies who have a net worth of at least 75 billion euros (about AU$110 billion), a minimum of 45,000 active users and a platform such as Facebook or Twitter.
We have a deal on #DMA! Last trilogue with @Europarl_EN and @EUCouncil ended with a good, strong agreement.
Tune into our press conference tomorrow 8:45 😊 pic.twitter.com/krHHsOqG8u— Margrethe Vestager (@vestager) March 24, 2022
Apart from interoperability, the DMA also has a number of other requirements from the big tech firms, such as providing the ability to users to uninstall their software from their devices so they can make a free choice about the apps they want to use, not using their own platforms to promote themselves (for example with Facebook adds on Facebook news feeds) and providing access to businesses who advertise with them to use their data.
There have been many times in the past when other organisations or governments have attempted to clamp down on the big tech corporations by inducing heavy fines to any who broke the rules. But the difference with the DMA is that, the penalty for all violators is already heavy enough (10 percent of their annual revenue,) but for repeat offenders, the implications could be much worse than a simple fine.
“The fines will increase if you do not implement changes. Eventually, in the toolbox, there’s also the tool that you can actually break up a company if no change is happening, or if you are a repeat offender,” EU commissioner for competition Margrethe Vestager said when speaking to The Verge.
The proposed legislation caused many reactions by the firms themselves, who have pointed out that it could stifle innovation and create unnecessary complications towards consumers. There were also complaints by US legislators who wrote an official letter to the president of the US, Joe Biden, claiming that the new act “…unfairly targets American workers by deeming certain U.S. technology companies as ‘gatekeepers’ based on deliberately discriminatory and subjective thresholds.”
Latest News
Mastering the balance beam: Finding cut through via experiences and exposure in sport
From the hallowed turf of the MCG to every local suburban club around Australia, we’re a nation famed for our fervent love of sports. Sport in Australia is also becoming the last bastion of immediate mass reach entertainment, argues Starcom’s Roger Linttzeris (pictured above). Australian’s have a greater level of access to sport than ever […]
Chris Salter Appointed Director Of News For Seven Melbourne, Gemma Williams Named 7NEWS Spotlight Executive Producer
The Seven Network announced the appointment of Chris Salter as the Director of News in Seven Melbourne. Lead image: Gemma Williams. Salter, who has been 7NEWS Adelaide news director since June 2018, will succeed Shaun Menegola. “Chris has done an amazing job in Adelaide, where 7NEWS has been #1 for more than 13 years. I’m […]
Sunday Gravy Welcomes Ego Pharmaceuticals To The Table
Following a competitive pitch, Ego Pharmaceuticals has moved its business to Sunday Gravy. Ego produces over 150 different products, including well-known brands such as QV Skincare, SunSense Sunscreen, Aqium Hand Sanitiser, Elucent, MOOV, and Azclear. “We were looking for a creative agency partner that was just as passionate about long-term brand building and collaboration as […]
Unveiling Distinct Channel Opportunities: Insights From Dash Hudson’s Cross-Channel Social Media Benchmark Reports
The rise of algorithmic content has changed social media, shifting feeds from social-driven to entertainment-driven. Short-form video now accounts for 38 per cent of social content on Instagram, and its dominance continues to grow. Community-building and curated content from creators have come to the forefront of marketers’ strategies, and at the same time, social commerce […]
Cummins&Partners Welcomes Tim Collier As New Head of Strategy
Cummins&partners ramps up its client strategy offerings and its Dungeons And Dragons staff team with latest recruit.
‘Let’s Break Ingrained Industry Muscle Memory & Help Marketers Keep Their Job’ – Mat Baxter On Why He Joined Mutinex
The adland sage has joined marketing platform Mutinex which, admittedly, sounds like a high-fibre breakfast cereal.
Today The Brave Snares Alyce Gillis From Havas Host
In what may be seen as another win for the indies but possibly shouldn't, Havas' Alyce Gillis joins Today The Brave.
TAC Wakes Victorians Up To The Risks Of Driving Fatigued In A New Campaign Via Clemenger BBDO
Latest Clems campaign highlights the dangers of driving tired. Or, worse, listening to Guy Sebastian while on the road.
TikTok Partners With Billie Eilish To Launch New Fan Spotlight Feature
Did you know that Billie Eilish has won two Academy Awards? Which is two more than both Tom Cruise & Megan Fox.
TorchMedia Secures Sydney Light Rail Advertising Contract
Judging by the painfully slow speed of the Sydney Light Rail, advertisers certainly get excellent dwell time.
TV Ratings (21/05/2024): Todd & Dustin Find Love As Farmer Wants A Wife Comes To A Close
Judging by Farmer Wants A Wife's success, you'd reckon the National Party would be of way more interest to voters.
Senior Appointments Expand Hatched Sydney Team
New appointments at media agency Matched. Unlike press photo outfits that are daringly contrary to the idea.
History Will Be Kind Builds Client Portfolio With Appointment Of Koskela
HWBK nabs sustainable furniture maker Koskela's PR. Also takes the opportunity to replace ageing boardroom table.
JCDecaux Launches Dominion Road SMARTFRAME
It's rare outdoor news from New Zealand today. And you think it's bloody freezing in Australia at the moment.
Innocean Australia Announces Giorgia Butler As New Chief Strategy Officer
Giorgia Butler named Innocean's chief strategy officer. Thankfully cupcakes weren't served at the staff announcement.
INVNT Appointed Creative Experiential Partner For SXSW 2024
The countdown's on for this year's SXSW in Sydney. Alas, B&T unsure what the actual count is at the present time.
The Media Store Wins Melbourne Royal Show Media Account
Media Store's rose garden set to bloom thanks to new manure after agency snares the Melbourne Royal Show's media.
Toby Jenner: ‘The Power And Energy Of Our Good Teams Will Get Us Through Tough Times’
Toby Jenner has been named global president of GroupM clients & B&T was 9th on the phone to offer our congrats.
Foxcatcher & InMobi Partner To Enhance Media Planning And Activation
Foxcatcher & InMobi unveil plans for a new collaboration that thankfully hasn't required any hounds to be released.
Brookvale Breweries & Distilleries Launch Three Days Of Savoury Bites, Delicious Pints And Spirits
The goodly folk on Sydney's northern beaches need little prodding to drink, so this has 'sold out' written all over it.
VALE Dennis Merchant – A Giant Of The Media Industry
In terribly sad news today, Aussie adland legend Dennis Merchant has passed away at the age of 82.
Gravity Media Australia To Deliver Crankworx Cairns For Red Bull TV
Are you a committed mountain bike enthusiast? Cairns is where you need to take your grazed knees & concussions.
Connecting Plots Nabs Former Saatchi & Saatchi Leader Craig Page
Connecting Plots turns the Page with this hire.
Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal Revive Core Values Campaign For Louis Vuitton
If Rafael misses his next match with a runny nose you'll know why with these inappropriately dressed mountain images.
Orphan Steals The Show At Australian Fashion Week With World-First ‘The Last Season Collection’
Australian Fashion Week has been run & done for another year, meaning lots of people can now go back to eating solids.
One Year Later, Is BAR Ogilvy’s Livingfont Making A Difference?
As super important as they are, these animal extinction campaigns can be a mega downer for the unprepared.
“These Issues Aren’t Unique To Our Industry”: Rose Herceg Chats To B&T Ahead Of Create Space Census Results
Rose Herceg admits struggles with diversity & inclusion aren't unique to adland. Take F1 racing as an example.
Kieran Moore: ‘No Client Has Ever Asked For More Junior People On Their Account’
PR guru Kieran Moore's talking the dangers of ageism. That said, it remains a good thing for red wine & prosciutto.
Zitcha appoints Josh Forsyth as sales lead to drive retail media growth across APAC
Zitcha names Josh Forsyth as its APAC sales lead, as confusion reigns over the Maldives' APAC claims.
Moët Hennessy NZ Adds Special PR To Agency Roster
If there's a client you want on the books it's Moët Hennessy. Ben & Jerry's would also be fantastic, albeit fattening.
Dylan Alcott, Ellie Cole & Kurt Fearnley To Headline Nine’s Paralympics Coverage
They say Olympics is more aspirational & Paralympics is more inspirational, but B&T is here for goalball & murderball.
The Monkeys, Howatson+Co, VML Australia Win Big At The One Show’s Awards
A top showing saw Australia ranked fifth globally, well above our friends over the Ditch.
Readers Are Looking To Books For Escape – Should They Look To Adverts, Too?
Are you or someone you know a bibliophile? That's a lover of books & not an 80s paper filing system. Read on here.
TV Ratings (19 May 2024): Nine’s Travel Guides Goes Head To Head With Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife
Love travelling to Kuta to watch the lads from the Currawong Goannas footy club whoop it up? Travel Guides is a must.
Sky New Zealand Initiates Process For Advertising Sales Representation In Australia
Sure, on the surface they pretend to despise us, but this news offering proves the Kiwis love of all things Australian.
Opinion: Queer & Present Danger – Australia’s Battle For LGBTQ+ Recognition Through Communication
Aside from this absolute cracker of a headline, Think HQ's Blake Mason piece is very important.