Big Tech Weekly: Meta Is on the Ropes Again

Meta Platforms had another challenging week. Facebook’s parent company is facing an order by the European Union agency responsible for protecting personal information to suspend data transfers to the United States.

The Data Protection Commission’s (DPC) ruling could cause Facebook’s parent company to retaliate by removing its websites from Europe. DPC Commissioner Helen Dixon sought the suspension Monday (Feb. 21). The final decision to proceed with the order is up to her European counterparts.

Read more: Regulator Could Order Meta to Stop EU-US Data Transfers

At the same time, the EU’s proposed data regulations may compel U.S. firms to share. The European Commission’s Data Act intends to oblige companies to share more data with EU firms and consumers.

If enacted, the measure would empower consumers by giving them the option to easily take their data from one provider to another, and for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to have more power to negotiate better data-sharing contracts.

See more: EU’s New Data Act May Compel US Firms to Share More Data

Apple Fined $5M Due to Payment Methods

Apple got some bad news this week. The Dutch antitrust watchdog has fined the tech giant 5 million euros (about $5.7 million) over the issue of access to non-Apple payments for dating apps subscriptions.

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) said the iPhone maker has been abusing its dominant position by not allowing software applications in the Netherlands to use any other payment modes. Apple had a deadline of Jan. 15 to make the changes but chose not to.

Read more: Dutch Antitrust Regulator Fines Apple Another $5M Over Payment Methods

But the news wasn’t all bad for Apple. Its new retail shop on Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island was scheduled to open Friday (Feb. 25). The new outlet expands the iPhone maker’’ presence in the country.

The Apple store at The Galleria Mall features a water-themed design and has entrances from the waterfront with views of Abu Dhabi’s city center.

Apple was not the only giant retailer to open its doors to a new store this week. The Whole Foods Market shopping experience just got a major tech upgrade. Nearly five months after its parent company Amazon announced plans to bring its Just Walk Out cashier-less checkout technology to its Whole Foods Market grocery brand, the first location opened Wednesday (Feb. 23).

See more: Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ Whole Foods Store Opens as Frictionless Checkout Takes Hold