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Meta Adapts to EU Digital Markets Act, Offers Instagram and Facebook Users More Choices

 |  January 22, 2024

In a bid to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has announced that users in Europe will soon have more choices regarding how they consume the company’s services.

According to Reuters, the move comes as part of a broader effort by major tech companies to align themselves with the DMA, a set of regulations designed to ensure fair competition and user choice within the digital marketplace.

The social media giant, Meta Platforms, joins Google in adjusting its services to meet the requirements outlined in the DMA. The new regulations, set to be enforced by March 7, mandate that significant technology companies treat their own services and products similarly to those of their competitors.

In a blog post released on Monday, Meta Platforms outlined the upcoming changes, emphasizing that users will be given notifications over the next few weeks to choose how they would like to share their information between Instagram and Facebook. This move aims to enhance user privacy and control over personal data.

Related: Meta Defends Itself Against EU’s Accusations Of Misuse Of Dominance

One of the key changes involves Facebook Messenger users, who will now have the option to decide whether they want to link their Facebook account with their Messenger account or maintain separate accounts for both services. This move is in line with the DMA’s requirements, which seek to eliminate unfair practices and promote transparency in the digital market.

While these adjustments may be seen as positive steps towards compliance with the DMA, there are concerns within the tech industry that such regulatory changes could impact companies’ revenues. Google has also taken steps to conform to the new EU rules, anticipating potential financial consequences.

As the deadline for DMA compliance approaches, major tech players are likely to continue making adjustments to their platforms to align with the regulations, fostering a more competitive and user-friendly digital environment within the European Union.

Source: Reuters