In a bid to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) is introducing new changes that allow users to have more control over how their information is shared across its platforms. The changes, which will be effective from March, apply to users in the EU, European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
One significant change is that users of Facebook Messenger now have the option to continue using it with their Facebook accounts or create new, standalone Messenger accounts. Those who choose the latter will still be able to enjoy Messenger's core services like private messaging, chat, voice, and video calling.
Similarly, users of Facebook Marketplace can decide whether or not to allow the service to use their Facebook information. Those who opt out can still browse listings and engage in buying and selling activities on the platform but will need to communicate with other users via email instead of Facebook Messenger.
For Facebook gamers, the choice also exists. However, those who decide not to use their Facebook information for the games they play will face consequences. They will lose access to multiplayer games, in-game purchases, and personalized game suggestions. They will only be able to play some single-player games.
In an effort to comply with the DMA, Meta has also begun allowing Facebook and Instagram users to prevent their data from being used for targeted advertising. However, this option is currently limited to those who subscribe to a paid service. A group of European consumer organizations is challenging this approach, arguing that it doesn't offer a fair alternative for users who prefer not to pay.
Despite these new choices, Meta assures users that they will still have access to existing tools that give them control over the information they share and how their data is processed. Tim Lamb, Meta's Director of Competition and Regulatory, reaffirms their commitment to ensuring compliance with the DMA and delivering value to users.
Meta is not the only tech company making changes to data sharing practices in response to the DMA. Google recently announced plans to allow users to opt out of data sharing across various services like YouTube, Search, ad services, Google Play, Chrome, Google Shopping, and Google Maps. However, Google notes that certain features may be limited or unavailable if services aren't linked.
The Digital Markets Act aims to address the dominance of big tech companies in the EU and foster greater competition. It introduces measures such as requiring messaging apps to be interoperable with competitors and mandating operating systems to offer alternative app stores and payment options.
According to Commissioner Didier Reynders, the Digital Markets Act will help level the playing field for all companies in the European digital market and promote contestability and openness. It represents an important step toward fairer and more competitive practices in the tech sector.
