In adherence to significant EU tech regulations aimed at reining in the influence of major tech companies, Alphabet’s Google announced a series of alterations to its search results and introduced new tools for app developers to promote their products on third-party platforms and rival app stores.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA), set to take effect on March 7, mandates compliance from tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and TikTok owner ByteDance, identifying them as gatekeepers controlling access to millions of users and businesses on their platforms.
Initially introduced in January with modifications made in response to feedback from EU antitrust regulators, users, and developers, Google’s adjustments include changes to search results, wherein larger intermediaries and aggregators will receive increased traffic while entities like hotels, airlines, merchants, and restaurants may experience reduced visibility, as stated in a blog post by Google.
Moreover, users will now be prompted to provide consent for Google to share their data across its various products and services.
Additionally, app developers will gain the ability to utilize alternative billing systems, not limited to Google Play’s billing methods. Furthermore, a new initiative will enable developers to directly guide European users outside the app to promote their products.
In a move to facilitate data portability, Google will introduce data portability software in Europe, simplifying the process for developers to transfer user data to third-party applications or services.
