EU countries, EU lawmakers clinch deal on rules to rein in tech giants

Proposed by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager just over a year ago in response to the slow pace of competition investigations, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) sets out a list of dos and don'ts for online gatekeepers that control data and access to their platforms.

The new rules ban targeted advertising aimed at children or based on sensitive data such as religion, gender, race and political opinions. (File Photo/Representative)

EU countries and EU lawmakers on Thursday reached a deal on landmark rules to curb the power of Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft.

France, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a tweet that there was agreement. EU industry chief Thierry Breton also confirmed in a tweet.

Proposed by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager just over a year ago in response to the slow pace of competition investigations, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) sets out a list of dos and don’ts for online gatekeepers that control data and access to their platforms.