The EU has recently announced that it has identified Apple's iPadOS as a digital gatekeeper. This means that the regulatory authorities could force the platform to be opened and made available to third-party developers and businesses. The EU appears to be switching its direction to TikTok for a potential ban in countries that fall under the region. The app is also looking at a ban in the United States and has nine months to comply.
After the United States, TikTok is looking at a potential ban in the EU
It was reported last month that TikTok could face a ban in the United States, and if it wishes to avoid a complete ban, ByteDance would have to sell the app to an American company. The House basically wants full control of the app or no app at all, and TikTok only has nine months to comply with the requirements, but the deadline could be extended to 12 months.
After the United States, the EU jumped on the bandwagon as well, with a potential ban on TikTok. The EU President Ursula von der Leyen stated that TikTok could undergo a complete ban in the region considering the "danger" of the app, reports Politico.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hinted that banning TikTok in the European Union is an option, during a debate this evening in Maastricht, featuring parties’ lead candidates for the bloc’s 2024 election.
“It is not excluded,” von der Leyen said, after the moderator referred to the United States, where TikTok faces a national ban unless it is sold by its owner, ByteDance. She immediately added that the Commission was “the very first institution worldwide to ban TikTok on our corporate phones.”
“We know exactly the danger of TikTok.”
The EU president made remarks on TikTok's ban in the region, potentially after considering the situation in the United States. The app is already under investigation for offering users vouchers to watch TikTok videos, which ultimately contributes to children's and teenagers' addiction to the platform.
However, it is too early to conclude if the EU will follow the same route as the United States. The EU has been actively participating in the tech industry, preventing anti-competitive practices. Currently, the EU has given Apple a six-month notice to comply with the obligations and make the required changes. Like the iPhone, the iPad will soon allow app sideloading and third-party app stores on the platform.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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