Key facts
- EU antitrust regulators proposed designating Amazon Web Services as a gatekeeper.
- EU antitrust regulators proposed designating Microsoft Azure as a gatekeeper.
- The designations are proposed under the Digital Markets Act.
- The designations would impose obligations to curb market power.
- The move expands the DMA's reach into the AI sector.
European Union antitrust regulators have put forward a proposal to designate Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure as "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This proposed designation signifies a critical step in the EU's efforts to regulate large technology companies and curb their market dominance. If finalized, AWS and Microsoft Azure would be subject to a set of obligations aimed at ensuring fairer competition within the digital market. The move is particularly noteworthy as it marks a significant expansion of the DMA's scope, extending its regulatory influence into the rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI) sector. This expansion signals the EU's intent to proactively address potential monopolistic practices in emerging technological fields.