Brussels is getting antitrust wrong. The European Union’s ambitions to regulate Big Tech through the Digital Markets (DMA) and Digital Services (DSA) Acts target tech gatekeepers like Apple, Meta, and X to foster fair competition. But this policy approach often backfires, leading to higher costs, slowed innovation, and limited access to services for European consumers. To address monopolistic practices effectively, the EU must ensure its approach does not harm the very users it aims to protect without noticing.
Apple’s controversial “core technology fee” is a recent example. It imposes a €0.50 charge per installed app for developers. Introduced to comply with the DMA, this fee has sparked concerns developers will pass the costs onto consumers, negating the policy’s intended benefits. It also forces developers to rethink their business models, adding further complications to an already complex ecosystem.
Recent regulatory pressure forced Apple to open its previously restrictive app marketplace, but the DMA’s implementation has not come without costs. The question remains: are consumers truly better off if compliance drives up app prices or reduces quality?
Meta’s content moderation policies present another issue. In the US, Meta replaced its fact-checking system with a “community ratings” model, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation. While this shift has not yet reached Europe, the possibility looms large. The DSA requires platforms to maintain robust content moderation, but the risk of non-compliance or half-hearted implementation could leave European users exposed to harmful content.
Meta’s broader critique of the EU regulatory framework as “censorship” further highlights the tension between innovation and compliance. CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s comments, coupled with his call for US government intervention, underscore the transatlantic friction over tech regulation. These disputes threaten to politicise regulatory enforcement, overshadowing the original goal of protecting consumers.
X (formerly Twitter) has also faced intense scrutiny under the DSA. The platform’s alleged violations include failures in content moderation, transparency, and advertising policies. The EU’s enforcement actions, which could result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual revenue, risk driving platforms to limit their operations in Europe. If services become unavailable or less functional, it is European users who will suffer the most.
Despite these challenges, the EU has achieved some notable successes. Regulatory pressure has compelled tech giants to introduce more consumer-friendly features. For instance, Apple now allows third-party app stores, and Google has implemented new default browser options. These changes have opened up the digital market to smaller competitors and given users more control over their data.
However, the cost of compliance remains significant. Since the beginning, the European Commission has claimed the DMA is designed to empower small businesses and reduce prices for consumers. But as companies adapt to these sweeping changes, the financial burden often trickles down to end users. Whether through higher subscription fees or fewer service options, consumers end up paying the price.
The EU’s regulatory ambitions also face external pressures. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has criticised the DMA as a “tariff” on US tech firms and the incoming US administration has signalled its opposition to the EU’s approach. Trade tensions could further complicate enforcement, shifting the focus from consumer welfare to geopolitical disputes.
To ensure its regulatory efforts benefit consumers, the EU must prioritise targeted enforcement. Instead of blanket measures which disrupt entire systems, the focus should be on curbing monopolistic behaviours while fostering innovation and competition. Collaborative frameworks between regulators and tech companies could achieve these goals without shifting costs onto users.
In the process of using its existing tools to regulate sometimes overly influential Big Tech, the EU must avoid becoming a battlefield where the main casualties are European consumers. Policies should protect users, encourage fair competition, and hold tech companies accountable, all without sacrificing affordability or accessibility.
Irakli Machaidze is a Georgian political writer, analytical journalist and fellow with Young Voices Europe. Irakli is currently based in New York, US, pursuing advanced studies in International Relations and working as a fellow at Columbia University. He specialises in EU policy and regional security in Europe.