Europe demands to ban undeletable apps on smartphones

The EU is currently studying a proposal to reform digital markets and data sharing methods. According to the sources, the first draft of the Digital Services Act under consideration by the European Parliament not only requires technology companies to share data with small competitors but also restricts the way companies use collected customer data.

The European Union is currently enacting a new digital services law that not only requires technology companies to share data with competitors but also restricts how companies can use collected customer data and prohibits the installation of non-movable applications on mobile devices.

According to the bill, companies cannot pre-install their own applications, nor can they require third-party operating system developers or hardware manufacturers to pre-install them. The document says that companies are not allowed to use data collected on their platforms to block users. If manufacturers share data with competing companies, they also have the right to use it.

All major technology companies in the United States seem to oppose some of the drafts. Apple and Google may object to terms that restrict pre-installed applications on the hardware. This is because iPhone and Android devices are equipped with a set of integrated first-party applications.

In addition, these applications cannot be deleted. Apple is also very likely to oppose another provision. This rule prohibits technology companies from blocking other app stores or payment methods. This is also the core of the current dispute between Epic and Apple. In addition, Google, Facebook, and Amazon may object to sharing information with competitors. These companies consider this information to be proprietary.

Google and Apple will probably oppose

In this project, there are views that are opposed by major US technology companies. Apple and Google may object to restricting conditions for pre-installed applications on the hardware. This is because iPhone and Android smartphones come with a set of built-in third-party applications. In addition, these applications cannot be uninstalled.

Apple may also object to another rule that prohibits technology companies from blocking other app stores or payment methods. This is directly related to the ongoing litigation between Epic and Apple. In addition, Google, Facebook, and Amazon can oppose the exchange of information with competitors. These companies treat this information as to their property.

Previously, the European Union had tried many times to improve the competitiveness of the digital market, but to no avail.