Apple will surrender info on how many users it has to the EU

Big Tech platforms including Apple, Google, and Twitter, have given monthly user data to the European Union, to comply with stringent content regulations.

The companies had until February 17, 2023, to self-report their number of monthly users to the EU. Under the new Digital Services Act (DSA), any such firm with over 45 million users are required to comply with auditing, risk management, and data sharing with the authorities.

According to Reuters, Apple, Google, Meta, and Twitter, have all confirmed that they exceed the 45 million user threshold. In Apple's case, the company claimed that only its iOS App Store exceeded 45 million users — but that it would also voluntarily apply the DSA rules to its Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV app stores.

"Apple intends, on an entirely voluntary basis, to align each of the existing versions of the App Store (including those that do not currently meet the VLOP designation threshold) with the existing DSA requirements for VLOPs," said the company in a statement, "because the goals of the DSA align with Apple's goals to protect consumers from illegal content."

Twitter reported having 100.9 million monthly users in the EU. Alphabet, Google's parent company, said the monthly total of signed-in users was 278.6 million for Google Maps, 274.6 million at Google Play, 332 million for Google Search, 74.9 million in shopping, and 401.7 million on YouTube.

Meta reported 255 million average monthly users on Facebook, in the EU, and around 250 million on Instagram.

Ebay also reported its numbers to the EU, but said that it is below the 45 million threshold.

The Digital Services Act is designed to place restrictions on online content and moderation. It concerns making Big Tech firms responsible for policing and taking down illegal content.

28 Comments

rob53 13 Years · 3312 comments

About 1 year ago

Interesting that a private company is required to tell a weird government agency how many customers it has. Do gas stations have to divulge this information? How about grocery stores?

verne arase 11 Years · 479 comments

Illus1ve said:

Just what the heck is ‘e.u.’ ?
Sorry if this isn't the answer you're looking for, but the European Union?

rob53 said:

Interesting that a private company is required to tell a weird government agency how many customers it has. Do gas stations have to divulge this information? How about grocery stores?

I sure as hell hope they're just requesting figures for EU customers - the EU/EC has been getting too big for their britches lately, and has been threatening penalties based on a company's world-wide revenue - even though Apple isn't an EU headquartered company.

How the heck can a EU regulatory body threaten a foreign company's revenues earned outside their jurisdiction when they aren't even headquartered within the EU?

verne arase said:

Illus1ve said:

Just what the heck is ‘e.u.’ ?
Sorry if this isn't the answer you're looking for, but the European Union?

That was his first post under that name so I'd totally disregard his statement.

avon b7 20 Years · 8046 comments

verne arase said:

rob53 said:

Interesting that a private company is required to tell a weird government agency how many customers it has. Do gas stations have to divulge this information? How about grocery stores?

I sure as hell hope they're just requesting figures for EU customers - the EU/EC has been getting too big for their britches lately, and has been threatening penalties based on a company's world-wide revenue - even though Apple isn't an EU headquartered company.

How the heck can a EU regulatory body threaten a foreign company's revenues earned outside their jurisdiction when they aren't even headquartered within the EU?

A perfectly valid option and nothing new. These kinds of fining systems have existed for years. The fines are both punitive and to deter.

On the other hand, the US is banning companies worldwide from selling US origin technology (even small amounts) to Chinese purchasers if their products just happen to have any in the final product. Even if the technology is now not US. That is to say, the US company that created the technology was sold 100% to a non-US company. And in some cases, Chinese born scientists had a hand in creating those technologies but have gained US citizenship.

Is that worthy of a 'what the heck...' comment?

The laws on fines from the EU were in place for everyone to see from day one. Companys just have to comply with legislation.

Laws like US FATCA require sovereign financial institutions to inform the US government of the financial activities of US citizens outside the US.