All articles tagged with #eu regulations
Germany's opposition led by Merz influenced the EU to reverse its ban on new internal combustion engines from 2035, favoring flexibility and technological diversity to support the struggling automotive sector, amid ongoing debates on climate targets and industry competitiveness.
Apple criticizes EU digital laws, claiming they compromise user safety by increasing fraud and scams, and warns that regulations like the Digital Markets Act could expose users to security risks, amid ongoing tensions over tech regulation and competition.
Meta is quitting EU political advertising due to the onerous and uncertain compliance requirements of the upcoming TTPA regulation, following Google's lead, and will only allow organic political content on its platforms.
Despite a 16-month-old EU ruling allowing iOS developers to use alternative browser engines, Apple continues to impose restrictions that hinder competition, according to the Open Web Advocacy group. These restrictions include legal and technical barriers that force developers to create separate apps for different regions, limiting user base growth and competition with Safari, which significantly contributes to Apple's revenue. Although support for non-WebKit browsers was added in iOS 17.4, critics argue that Apple's restrictions still prevent fair competition, with ongoing regulatory pressure in the UK.
Porsche's electric Macan outsold the gasoline version in the first half of 2024, with 57% of buyers choosing the EV, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences despite regulatory challenges in Europe that have affected the availability of traditional models. Overall, Porsche's sales declined slightly, but the electric models are gaining prominence, and the company is considering new hybrid and combustion models to fill gaps in its lineup.
Apple has announced that due to EU regulatory concerns, certain features of iOS 26, including the 'visited places' service in Apple Maps, will be delayed or unavailable in the European Union at launch, as the company works to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Meta is reducing the price of its ad-free subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in the EU, offering it at €5.99/month on the web and €7.99/month on mobile platforms. This move comes in response to EU regulatory demands, allowing users to choose between a paid, ad-free experience or a free service with less personalized ads. The changes aim to comply with GDPR and the Digital Markets Act, while maintaining the value of personalized advertising for businesses.
Apple has announced that starting in spring 2025, iPhone and iPad users in the EU will be able to set default navigation and translation apps, as part of its compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act. This feature is expected to be included in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, allowing users to choose apps like Google Maps or Google Translate as defaults instead of Apple's own apps. This move follows previous updates allowing default browser, mail, and other app settings.
The European Union has accused X, formerly known as Twitter, of using deceptive "dark patterns" to mislead users, particularly through its blue checkmark system. These practices allegedly violate the EU's Digital Services Act, which aims to ensure transparency and accountability in digital platforms. The EU's findings suggest that X's current verification system can mislead users about the authenticity of accounts, undermining trust and informed decision-making.
Temu, a Chinese shopping platform, has been classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU's Digital Services Act, requiring it to comply with stringent regulations on systemic risks, consumer protection, and transparency. This follows similar actions against Shein and a recent complaint by European consumer groups. Temu must submit a systemic risk assessment report within four months and faces increased scrutiny in the US over forced labor concerns.
Apple removed the iGBA Game Boy emulator app from the App Store for violating guidelines by copying another developer's submission, despite initially approving its launch. The app's developer, Riley Testut, expressed frustration as his own emulator app, Delta, has been ready to launch since March. Apple's decision to allow retro game emulators comes after EU regulations forced the tech giant to open up the App Store to competitors. While the iGBA app was free and ad-supported, Apple's move to remove it did not impact its bottom line.
Spotify is making a foray into edtech, while stocks globally are declining and crypto is seeing gains. In Startup Land, Stability AI's CEO has exited amid discussions about the company's revenue growth and burn rate. U.S.-based tech companies are under scrutiny in the EU due to the new Digital Markets Act. Additionally, China is making moves in tech with the Vision Pro and efforts to replace Intel and AMD chips in state computers, while beverage startups are competing against industry giants for market share.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU has compelled Apple to make significant changes to iOS, including allowing third-party app stores, bringing back Fortnite, enabling direct downloads from developers' websites, changing default apps, and enhancing interoperability and data portability. These changes give EU users more options and control over their iOS experience, but they are not available to users outside the EU, prompting discussions about the need for similar antitrust laws in other regions, such as the U.S.
The European Commission is investigating Microsoft's €15 million investment in French startup Mistral, which recently released a large language model to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Mistral's partnership with Microsoft to bring its models to Azure has raised concerns about consolidating power and stifling innovation in the AI industry. EU regulators are wary of AI mergers with Big Tech and are closely monitoring AI partnerships to ensure they do not unduly distort market dynamics. This comes as the EU is working on an AI Act to enforce rules for AI systems based on the risks they pose, with generative AI models like Mistral Large considered as "high-impact general-purpose" systems that might pose systemic risk.
Apple announces that the iPhone 15's battery can retain 80 percent of its original capacity after 1,000 cycles, double the previous estimate, in time for upcoming EU regulations. The company attributes the upgrade to continual improvements in battery components and iOS power management. Older iPhone models' estimates may also be updated. Smartphone and tablet manufacturers in the EU will soon be graded on energy efficiency and battery longevity, with at least 800 charging cycles required to retain 80 percent capacity. Apple also provides tips for ideal battery longevity and plans to move the battery cycle count to a more logical location in iOS settings.