Today, the EC announced new proceedings against Apple on interoperability under the Digital Markets Act. This process aims to encourage Apple into compliance with the interoperability obligations of the DMA, potentially leading to significant changes in its approach to third party hardware and software proivders. In response, Timothy Cowen, co-founder of the Movement for an Open Web, said:
“The EC have hit the bullseye by aiming at interoperability with these proceedings. Interoperability is what enables businesses to compete on a level playing field with the platforms and that’s why they’ve been intentionally degrading it over the last few years. For example, Apple degraded interoperability in open web advertising, making it a less effective channel for advertisers. This increased the value of search advertising where Apple benefitted via its revenue share with Google. That same approach is happening across the board and the EC is recognising that with these proceedings.
“This is the first major intervention against the platforms on interoperability by the EC under the DMA and it’s a clear demonstration of the potential that this legislation has to combat their monopoly power. We would encourage the EC to go further in these proceedings and to also look at the damage Apple and Google have done by blocking and devaluing the open web standards such as cookies that enable interoperability between businesses.”