
Stricter Oversight Under the DMA
The DMA, which aims to ensure fair competition in digital markets, has placed a spotlight on tech giants including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft. The Commission designated these companies as “gatekeepers” in September 2023, holding them accountable under strict regulations aimed at promoting consumer choice and competition. Booking.com joined this list last year, making it subject to the same rules.
Under the DMA, these companies had six months to align their operations with EU standards, such as providing users with greater freedom and choice. Despite this, some companies have signaled resistance to stringent European regulations.
Challenges from Washington
The incoming Trump administration, which takes office on January 20, is expected to pressure the EU to adopt a more laissez-faire approach to tech regulation. Per EuroNews, some U.S. tech executives have voiced dissatisfaction with the EU’s regulatory framework, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates content moderation and protections for minors online.
Related: EU Antitrust Chief Ribera: Consumer Protections Remain Top Priority
Meta’s recent moves highlight this tension. Following Trump’s election victory in November, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with the president-elect in Florida. Shortly after, Meta announced plans to replace its U.S.-based fact-checking system with a “community notes” approach similar to that of Elon Musk’s platform, X. Observers have raised concerns about whether these changes might extend to the EU, potentially undermining compliance with the DSA.
Shifting Leadership in Brussels
The European Commission itself is experiencing leadership changes. Margrethe Vestager, who spearheaded the DMA as the EU’s competition chief, has been succeeded by Teresa Ribera of Spain. Ribera, whose portfolio also includes climate and industry policy, may bring a different approach to enforcing competition rules.
Despite these transitions, EU officials have emphasized their commitment to upholding the DMA and DSA. Henna Virkkunen, EU Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, assured reporters last week that “there have not been any delays” in enforcement efforts. “Everyone doing business here needs to respect the rules. What we want to achieve is a fair and safe environment,” she stated, as reported by EuroNews.
Probes Nearing Resolution
Investigations launched last year into Alphabet, Apple, and Meta remain a focal point for EU regulators. Preliminary findings have already been sent to Apple and Meta, with final conclusions expected soon. These probes are critical to determining whether these companies have complied with the DMA’s requirements.
J. Scott Marcus, a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies, told EuroNews that the Trump administration’s stance would likely exacerbate political tensions over the DSA, but less so for the DMA, which he described as “largely a matter between the firms and the EU.”
Source: EuroNews

In the wake of sweeping antitrust raids by Indian authorities, leading advertising agencies have been cautioned against sharing sensitive commercial information through informal communication channels, including WhatsApp, according to a document cited by Reuters.
The advisory, issued by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), follows surprise inspections carried out by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on March 18. These dawn raids were part of a broader investigation into alleged price collusion and discount manipulation in India’s $18.5 billion advertising industry—one of the fastest-growing globally and currently ranked the eighth largest by revenue, Reuters reported.
The CCI’s actions have rattled the country’s dynamic advertising ecosystem, especially the broadcast and digital streaming sectors, where major players like Reliance-Disney and Sony dominate. The probe is likely to have a lasting impact on how media buying is structured and priced in India, particularly among global agencies operating in the region.
The AAAI, whose membership includes prominent firms such as GroupM (owned by WPP), Japan’s Dentsu, and France’s Publicis, has urged its affiliates to steer clear of discussions involving pricing or any other commercially sensitive data. In an advisory dated March 26 and prepared by legal firm Trilegal, the association emphasized that members must exit existing WhatsApp groups and cease any form of such communication, per Reuters.
Related: WhatsApp Secures EU Court Adviser’s Backing in Privacy Fine Dispute
The document explicitly warned, “Members are requested not to discuss (through any mechanism, including emails, WhatsApp groups, documents, any informal, or formal meetings), any commercially sensitive information.” This includes pricing strategies, which could fall afoul of India’s competition regulations.
The CCI’s probe was reportedly triggered by leniency applications, a mechanism that incentivizes whistleblowers with reduced penalties in exchange for evidence of anti-competitive behavior. Among those cooperating with the investigation is Dentsu, which reportedly submitted internal findings of collusion along with a 2023 procedural document jointly issued by the IBDF (Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation) and AAAI, according to Reuters.
The March raids also extended to the offices of the IBDF in New Delhi, a powerful industry body representing major broadcasters. The investigation remains ongoing, and the CCI typically does not disclose details until a case reaches completion—a process that can take years.
While the CCI, AAAI, and involved media buying agencies have not responded to Reuters inquiries, Trilegal declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings. The advisory from AAAI stressed that any form of coordination involving sensitive business data could raise red flags under India’s competition laws and expose parties to further enforcement action.
Source: Reuters
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