Have you ever felt this strange impression? You hold the latest technological marvel in your hands. Yet, a disconnect exists. The promises from Apple, Google, or Samsung seem incomplete. Their spec sheets boast incredible new features. But many of these functions are missing in Europe. It’s not your imagination. It’s a reality for 450 million consumers. We await these innovations. Sometimes, we wait a very long time.

How did we get here? Europe is one of the richest markets in the world. Still, it has become a kind of regulatory island. The most cutting-edge innovations often arrive last. The answer is complex. It lies in a clash of philosophies. On one side, there’s the speed of Silicon Valley or Shenzhen. On the other, there’s the caution of Brussels. The European Union is on a quest for digital sovereignty. This quest could transform innovation as we know it.

The DMA: Ending the Reign of Tech Giants

To understand the situation, we must analyze three legislative pillars. The first is the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It came into force in 2023. Its goal is very clear: to control tech titans. The DMA does not apply to all companies. It targets a handful of players. The EU calls them “access controllers” or “gatekeepers.”

These giants include Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, ByteDance (TikTok), Meta, and Microsoft. To fall into this category, a company must be a market monster. It must generate at least 7.5 billion euros in revenue. Another criterion is a market capitalization of 75 billion euros. Furthermore, it must have tens of millions of users.

Once designated, these gatekeepers must follow strict rules. They have a list of dos and don’ts in Europe.

Key obligations:

• Allow users to install alternative app stores (sideloading).
• Make messaging services interoperable.
• Let users uninstall any pre-installed applications.

Major prohibitions:

• Self-preferencing is over. A company can no longer favor its own products in its rankings. You’ve probably noticed it. When you search for a place on Google, Google Maps no longer opens automatically.
• Tracking users for advertising purposes without explicit consent is forbidden.

In case of non-compliance, fines are colossal. They can reach 20% of global revenue in case of repeat offenses. The EU’s message is thus clear. The era of closed ecosystems, where a single company controls everything, is over in Europe.

The AI Act: Regulating Artificial Intelligence for Trust

The second pillar is the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). This is the world’s first comprehensive law on the subject. Its purpose is not to stifle innovation. It aims to regulate it according to a risk pyramid.

At the top is unacceptable risk. Certain practices are simply prohibited. For example, social scoring systems by governments. Toys using voice assistance to encourage dangerous behaviors are also banned. Similarly, untargeted collection of faces from the internet to create facial recognition databases is illegal.

Next, there is high risk. This concerns AI used in critical areas. We’re talking about CV screening, credit evaluation, or medical diagnostics. These systems must meet strict transparency and human oversight requirements. For instance, if you ask an AI for medical advice, it must warn you to consult a doctor.

Finally, there is minimal or limited risk. This accounts for the vast majority of current AIs. Spam filters or recommendation systems are examples. They are subject to few or no obligations. The European Union thus seeks to create trustworthy AI, aligned with its core values: transparency, human oversight and accountability.

Right to Repair: The Battle Against Planned Obsolescence

The third and final pillar concerns hardware. Europe is directly tackling planned obsolescence. It also aims to reduce the mountain of electronic waste. A radical measure will come into force in 2027. Manufacturers will have to design smartphones with easily replaceable batteries for users.

No more glued batteries requiring special tools. The idea is simple. You should be able to change your battery yourself, at home. Companies like HMD already offer phones compliant with this future standard.

However, the law provides a loophole. Manufacturers can avoid this obligation. To do so, they must prove that their batteries are exceptionally durable. A battery must retain at least 80% of its capacity after 1000 full charge cycles. This equates to about five years of use. That’s why you are increasingly seeing the number of charge cycles displayed on your phone.

Furthermore, this right to repair brings another essential guarantee. Companies must make spare parts available for at least seven years. This empowers you to repair your devices in the long term.

The Price to Pay: What are the Consequences for Users?

All these laws form a clear strategy: to regain control. But what is the price for European consumers? A CCIA survey reveals widespread frustration since the DMA came into force. The numbers speak for themselves.

Two-thirds of Europeans report needing more clicks to find what they’re looking for. Nearly 61% of search engine users spend up to 50% more time searching. Finally, 42% of frequent travelers find flight and hotel search results less relevant. These complex regulations thus create immediate friction for the end-user.

Europe’s Vision: Protecting to Innovate Better?

Faced with these criticisms, one might ask a question. Why is the European Union inflicting all this upon itself? The answer is not to stifle technology. It is to shape a long-term vision. The central argument is to end the “walled gardens” of tech giants.

Indeed, the DMA aims to rebalance the playing field. The goal is to give a chance to thousands of European start-ups and SMEs. By opening up ecosystems, the EU hopes to stimulate a new wave of local innovation. Europe doesn’t just want to consume technology. It wants to shape it according to its own principles: fairness, openness, and respect for privacy.

In conclusion, Europe is at a crossroads. New regulations create short-term frustrations. They delay the arrival of certain features. However, they lay the groundwork for a fairer and more open digital ecosystem. The strategy is ambitious. Europe sacrifices some speed to impose its values. Only time will tell if this bold gamble will create a new model of sustainable innovation.