European Commission grills Apple and Google on app store risks and ad practices
Amber NeelyEuropean flags
The European Commission has sent a formal request to Apple and Google asking the tech giants how they identify "systemic risks" to consumers in their respective app stores.
Both the App Store and Google Play have been designated as "Very Large Online Platforms" (VLOPs), which requires them to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA.) VLOPs are platforms or search engines with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU.
The EC states that it's looking specifically for information regarding how Google Play and the App Store mitigate "systemic risks relevant to their services, in particular those related to the dissemination of illegal and harmful content, any negative effects on the exercise of fundamental rights, as well as any negative effect on public security, public health, and minors."
The EC is also asking for more information regarding transparency related to "recommender systems and online advertisements."
It's not entirely clear what the European Commission is looking for specifically, as it simply defines it as "illegal and harmful content." This could be asking Google and Apple about how they assess the safety of an app before it goes live on the app store.
It's also possible that regulators are assessing how each company determines an appropriate advertisement based on the audience it thinks it will reach.
According to the European Commission's statement, Google and Apple have until January 15 to comply with the request for information. Once the information is obtained, the EC will determine whether or not it needs to formally proceedings under Article 66 of the DSA.
In October 2022, Apple came under fire for heavily promoting gambling apps in its App Store. Many users were concerned, especially when such ads were showing up next to content geared toward children and gambling addiction recovery apps.
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18 Comments
They should also be asking Apple to explain to them how this requirement that they allow Epic and all these other companies to set up their own third party app stores is going to make iOS a security nightmare compared to how it is now.
The App Store should be encouraged so long as it is fair and equitable. Having Apple as my firewall to check software before its sold / given to me, gives me piece of mind that its safe to install and use. Without that, its a risk.
Come on EU, you have more problems in your own backyard. War is coming your way go take care of that danger first…..
The purpose of this inquiry is the same as any government or law enforcement investigation, i.e. to find something to take action on, or to maliciously misinterpret anything they find as actionable. It's a fishing expedition, justified by nebulous, mostly unsubstantiated claims of some wrongdoing by people who can't actually create anything for themselves, so want to take what others produce.
Did the EU assess the risks of third part App stores? These people have nothing to do in Brussels. They should focus on Russia and China risks first.