European Commission has formally requested information from tech giants Apple and Google regarding their risk management practices within their app stores. Both the App Store and Google Play have been designated as “Very Large Online Platforms” (VLOPs) due to their massive user bases, subjecting them to compliance with the recently enacted Digital Services Act (DSA).

The European Commission is focusing its inquiry on identifying and mitigating “systemic risks” associated with these platforms. Concerns include disseminating illegal and harmful content, and potential negative impacts on fundamental rights, public security, public health, and minors. The Commission has expressed interest in understanding how both companies address these issues within their app ecosystems.

The transparency aspect of the inquiry zeroes in on recommender systems and online advertisements linked to app stores. The request for information highlights the need for clarity in areas such as the assessment of app safety before it goes live and the evaluation of targeted advertisements based on the anticipated audience.

One noteworthy challenge outlined in the request is the ambiguity surrounding the term “illegal and harmful content.” The lack of a clear definition leaves room for interpretation, potentially encompassing aspects such as pre-launch app safety assessments and the determination of appropriate advertisements based on the audience.

Google and Apple have been granted until January 15 to comply with the European Commission’s request for detailed information. Failure to do so could lead to formal proceedings under Article 66 of the DSA, reflecting the Commission’s commitment to enforcing the new regulations.

This latest development comes in the wake of previous controversies, with Apple facing criticism in October 2022 for prominently featuring gambling apps in its App Store. The proximity of these ads to content aimed at children and apps related to gambling addiction recovery sparked concerns and raised questions about the effectiveness of the platform’s content moderation.

The inquiry is not limited to Apple and Google alone; it encompasses over a dozen of the world’s largest tech companies, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the scrutiny under the DSA. The potential initiation of formal proceedings against Apple and Google could set a precedent for other companies facing similar scrutiny, emphasizing the global impact of the DSA on major players in the technology sector.

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