Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #209 – Big Tech on global trial: lawsuits, data leaks, cryptocurrency and viral tendencies
The last week has seen significant events reshaping the digital landscape, particularly legal confrontations between Big Tech on both sides of the Atlantic. Antitrust suits are advancing in both the EU and the USA amidst a growing global trade conflict that is likely contributing to this regulatory scrutiny.
The EU has enacted its first fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), penalizing Apple and Meta for engaging in anti-competitive conduct. Apple has been hit with a €500 million fine for hindering app developers from offering users alternative purchasing routes outside of its App Store, while Meta has incurred a €200 million fine for its ‘consent or pay’ advertising model on Facebook and Instagram.
Additionally, Meta faces renewed legal challenges in France, where 67 media companies are suing the firm for unfair competition in the digital advertising sector.
European authorities are intensifying their scrutiny of Big Tech, with Alphabet’s Google and Elon Musk’s X likely to be the next subjects of regulatory penalties under strict new EU digital regulations. The EU seems unfazed by criticisms from US President Donald Trump, perceiving the DMA as a strategic measure against American tech firms.
Google may need to consider divesting its Chrome browser to comply with anticipated regulatory requirements. OpenAI has shown interest in acquiring Chrome as part of this adjustment.
On another front, South Korea’s data protection body has raised alarm over the operations of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, alleging unauthorized transfers of personal data and user content. Meanwhile, Dutch banking entity ING is looking to introduce a Euro-centric stablecoin in collaboration with other financial organizations.
In notable developments this week, a startup named Cluely has attracted $5.3 million in seed funding to advance its AI tool that purportedly assists users in cheating at various tasks, sparking significant debate around its ethical implications.
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