Digital Markets Act

Apple has updated the developer terms governing its App Store in the European Union. The change comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of the company under the EU's Digital Markets Act, and developers and legal commentators are watching to see whether the new terms offer fairer conditions or merely adjust to compliance requirements. The full impact on developers and users in the bloc remains to be seen.

A Financial Times article shared widely notes that Big Tech firms out-lobby European companies in Brussels, spending far more on influencing EU policymaking than domestic firms do. Commenters describe the finding as unsurprising but worth repeating, amid ongoing debates over EU tech regulation, enforcement of rules like the Digital Markets Act, and the influence of US technology giants on European policy.

Amazon Web Services and Microsoft's cloud business are set to be designated as gatekeepers under the EU's Digital Markets Act, according to a report. The move would subject the two US companies' cloud operations to the strictest competition rules in the bloc, alongside big tech platforms already covered by the law. The designation is expected to bring tighter scrutiny of their cloud practices in Europe.

Bitcoin is rallying even as bond markets experience a historic selloff. Finance reports note the cryptocurrency's gains came against the backdrop of one of the worst bond slumps on record, a divergence that is drawing attention from investors watching how digital assets behave during traditional market stress. Commentary is focused on whether Bitcoin is acting as a hedge or simply moving independently of fixed-income markets.

Tech companies are racing to position their AI assistants as users' primary personal agents — software that can handle tasks, manage schedules and act on people's behalf. The competition is drawing comparisons to earlier platform wars, with major players vying to become the default interface between users and the digital world.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has announced three new appointments to expand its Europe office in Brussels. The tech industry group, which lobbies on digital policy for major technology firms, is strengthening its presence as EU institutions step up work on areas such as the Digital Markets Act, AI regulation and online content rules. Details on the appointees and their roles were given in the group's announcement.

The European Commission has issued a non-compliance decision against Google under the Digital Markets Act, case DMA.100193, finding that the company self-preferences its own services. A Wolters Kluwer analysis titled 'Without Fear or Favour' examines the decision and its legal reasoning. The ruling marks one of the first major enforcement actions under the new digital competition rules.