EU Considers Adding X, TikTok-Owner Bytedance, and Booking to Digital Antitrust Regulations

The European Union (EU) is contemplating extending its digital antitrust regulations to include prominent entities such as X, formerly known as Twitter, TikTok-owner Bytedance, and travel website group Booking. The move comes as these companies have acknowledged running digital services that could classify them as “gatekeepers” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Commission revealed.

The DMA, aimed at imposing stringent regulations on major technology firms like Apple and Meta, seeks to create a fairer digital environment for businesses reliant on these platforms. It prohibits preferential treatment of their own products and services over competitors’ offerings and prevents the misuse of collected data for competitive advantage. Additionally, companies are barred from sharing users’ personal data across platforms without explicit consent, reported Politico.

Read more: TikTok Updates Data Usage Regulations To Fit EU Laws

Now, X, Booking’s hotel reservation platform, and TikTok’s online advertising services may find themselves subject to these regulations. TikTok, whose video-sharing platform is already considered a crucial social network under the rules, contested its designation as a gatekeeper in EU courts. The company’s spokesperson, Elliott Burton, argued against labeling TikTok’s advertising service as a core platform service, despite meeting certain quantitative thresholds. Burton emphasized TikTok’s status as a “challenger platform” compared to established Big Tech firms dominating the online advertising sector.

“We strongly believe TikTok should not be designated as a gatekeeper in online advertising, an area so clearly dominated by incumbent players, and have set out our case to the Commission,” Burton asserted.

Source: Politico