Will the United States Adopt Europe’s Digital Markets Act?
Technology Policy Brief #56 | By: JA Angelo | April 3, 2022
Header photo taken from: Electronic Frontier Foundation
Follow us on our social media platforms above
Browse more technology policy briefs from the top dashboard
Photo taken from: The New York Times
Policy Summary
[SSB theme=”Official” align=”center” counter=”true” ]
The European Union continues to lead the way in developing tech policies. In its most recent efforts, the EU passed the Digital Markets Act regulating big tech firms’ efforts to monopolize e-commerce, digital advertising, app stores, and other digital tools we rely on daily to organize our lives. The new law means that Google can no longer send targeted ads without its user’s consent and that Apple would need to offer mobile apps outside of the App Store. Violators of this legislation could be fined up to 20 percent of the company’s global profits. This could result in tens of billions of dollars. European standards are typically adopted around the world.
The Digital Markets Act was passed in large part in response to Silicon Valley dominating the Information Age. Watchdog groups mentioned the legislative efforts of lobbyists to water down the new law and the Biden administration’s efforts of stating that the Digital Markets Act targets American companies. This European regulation is applicable to those corporations whose market cap is over 75 billion euros, or $83 billion. The list includes Alphabet, the owner of Google and YouTube; Amazon; Apple; Microsoft; and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
Policy Analysis
Although, both sides of the aisle in Congress have held high profile technology policy meetings, neither side has introduced digital media legislation to address tech giants unchecked powers amid the numerous antitrust cases filed against Google and Meta.
The United States has also not, thus far, adopted any European legislation addressing the digital world. This is in part likely due to tech giants lobbying Congress for these tech firms to maintain control over the digital marketplace.After all, these firms answer to their stakeholders. The absence of Congressional regulation minimizes the marketability of smaller mom and pop companies from profiting in the ever growing digital world.
The only way these smaller businesses have a shot at offering apps and other digital means to consumers is if the United States passes a set of digital regulations similar to those passed by the European Union. This would enable smaller firms to develop digital products at a fraction of the cost the tech giants offer. Well designed federal regulation can eliminate the tech monopolies and increase competition.
Photo taken from: EURACTIV, Shutterstock / Twin Design
(click or tap to enlargen)
However, one could argue that there are too many scams out there and that consumers prefer trusted tech giants. In the end, we as consumers, will likely continue padding C-level (CEO, CFO, COO etc.) executives pockets; perhaps driving these small firms out of business.
Engagement Resources
Click or tap on resource URL to visit links where available
To advocate for the Digital Markets Act, The Information Technology Industry (ITI) Council, is one trade association that aims to provide fair competition in the digital world. You can find out more or donate to its cause at optics.org
Critics of the Digital Markets Act include the Chamber of Progress. The CEO of this trade group mentioned that the legislation targets United States businesses and will affect the American workforce. You can find out more about this group or donate to its cause at progresschamber.org.