Brussels moves to put AWS and Azure under its toughest tech rules
The European Commission has signaled its intent to designate Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure as "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This move, a preliminary view, is significant because neither cloud service currently meets the DMA's quantitative thresholds for designation, suggesting Brussels is keen to extend its regulatory reach to critical digital infrastructure. The implications are substantial for the burgeoning European cloud market and the broader digital economy. Despite not meeting the specific quantitative criteria, the Commission's preliminary finding indicates a strategic effort to regulate major cloud providers that hold significant influence over digital services. The DMA aims to ensure fairer competition and prevent large online platforms from unfairly leveraging their dominant positions. Applying these rules to cloud infrastructure could reshape how these services are offered and how other businesses rely on them within the EU. This potential designation directly impacts how AWS and Microsoft Azure will operate within the European Union, potentially requiring them to comply with a range of obligations under the DMA. These could include allowing third-party software to interoperate with their core services, providing users with easier options to switch cloud providers, and offering greater transparency on data usage. The move underscores the EU's commitment to fostering a more competitive and open digital single market, fostering European alternatives and reducing reliance on dominant global players.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
Why this matters for European digital sovereignty
The European Commission is considering designating AWS and Azure as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act, signaling a move to regulate critical digital infrastructure. This potential designation, even without meeting quantitative thresholds, indicates Brussels' intent to extend regulatory reach and reshape how major cloud providers operate within the EU. Such a move could foster fairer competition and greater openness in the European digital single market.
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