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Firefox hardcore user here -- and someone not at all versed in anti-monopoly laws. Could someone explain why the EU forced Apple to allow alternative browser e

Firefox hardcore user here -- and someone not at all versed in anti-monopoly laws. Could someone explain why the EU forced Apple to allow alternative browser engines in their own eco-system ("walled garden")? It's theirs, shouldn't they do whatever they want with it? It's not like there aren't any alternatives to iOS - Android is excellent and you can use many different browsers on Android. So... where's the problem?

dharmab 3y ago
The EU has a law called the Digital Markets Act. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-markets-act-ensuring-fair-and-open-digital-markets_en https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-... The EU's position is that a company is large and influential enough, with an entrenched market position, it does not get to "do whatever they want" because of the harm that causes to the economy overall. A monopoly is not a criteria for this.
- supermatou 3y ago
  > a company is large and influential enough, with an entrenched market position, it does not get to "do whatever they want" because of the harm that causes to the economy overall. I'm not sure I understand: this would be applicable if Apple was the only provider of phone/mobile OS. But... Apple is just one of the players; if I was adamant that Firefox - which, again, I've been using for the past 20 years - is the only browser I want to use on mobile, I'd simply give up on iPhones and buy something else. So, again, as long as I have a choice, where is the problem?
  - toyg 3y ago
    You'll still have the choice to just use Safari and Apple AppStore products, so nothing is changing for you as a consumer. But other consumers will now have more choices. So why is that a problem for you? Btw, Apple is not "just one of the players". Them and Google completely control the mobile computing software market. Both them and Google are now required to stop abusing their position.
  - dharmab 3y ago
    As said preciously, the EU considers large companies with gatekeeper status a problem _regardless of whether they have a monopoly_. In your example, Firefox/Mozilla is harmed, because they're locked out of the iOS market unfairly.

dharmab 3y ago

The EU has a law called the Digital Markets Act. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-markets-act-ensuring-fair-and-open-digital-markets_en https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-... The EU's position is that a company is large and influential enough, with an entrenched market position, it does not get to "do whatever they want" because of the harm that causes to the economy overall. A monopoly is not a criteria for this.

supermatou 3y ago
> a company is large and influential enough, with an entrenched market position, it does not get to "do whatever they want" because of the harm that causes to the economy overall. I'm not sure I understand: this would be applicable if Apple was the only provider of phone/mobile OS. But... Apple is just one of the players; if I was adamant that Firefox - which, again, I've been using for the past 20 years - is the only browser I want to use on mobile, I'd simply give up on iPhones and buy something else. So, again, as long as I have a choice, where is the problem?
- toyg 3y ago
  You'll still have the choice to just use Safari and Apple AppStore products, so nothing is changing for you as a consumer. But other consumers will now have more choices. So why is that a problem for you? Btw, Apple is not "just one of the players". Them and Google completely control the mobile computing software market. Both them and Google are now required to stop abusing their position.
- dharmab 3y ago
  As said preciously, the EU considers large companies with gatekeeper status a problem _regardless of whether they have a monopoly_. In your example, Firefox/Mozilla is harmed, because they're locked out of the iOS market unfairly.