Digital Markets Act Archives

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Android Halo puts AI agents in your status bar

Google has introduced Android Halo, an interface layer for Android 17 that keeps an AI agent visible in the status bar while it operates in the background. This feature was first mentioned at Google I/O in May 2026 and detailed by Android president Sameer Samat in a July YouTube video. Android Halo allows users to monitor the AI agent's task progress, receive clarifying questions, and view results without switching applications. The agent operates in a secure, containerized environment, limiting its access to user-provided information only. Android Halo is designed to work with Google's Gemini and can also integrate third-party agents that meet specific requirements, in compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act. Android 17 is expected to launch in August 2026 alongside the Pixel 11, which will be the first device to feature Halo. The availability of Halo on other devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S25+, is uncertain, and no pre-order windows for hardware with Halo have been announced in the US and UK.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Google swears (again) that data-sharing rules will help scammers, threaten your search history

Google is opposing the European Union's proposed amendments to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), warning that these changes could jeopardize user privacy and security. The DMA aims to reduce the dominance of major tech platforms by requiring gatekeepers like Google to share more data with competitors. Google is particularly concerned about the implications of sharing search data and granting third-party AI services access to sensitive Android features, fearing that this could lead to increased fraud and cyberattacks. The European Commission is pushing for Google to provide rival search engines with access to anonymized search data to enhance competition, but Google argues that once this data leaves its infrastructure, it becomes difficult to protect. DuckDuckGo and some researchers believe the Commission's proposals adequately address privacy risks, while others acknowledge the risks but suggest they should be balanced against technical protections. Additionally, EU regulators are advocating for deeper integration of competing AI assistants with Android, which Google warns could compromise existing security measures. Apple has shown support for some of Google's concerns regarding access to operating systems.

BetaBeacon

June 25, 2026

Google Play Store Fees Will be Lowered Thanks to Epic Games Lawsuit, Settlement

Google Play Store fees are getting lower starting on June 30, with the service fee starting at 10% on the first million in annual earnings. Developers using Google Play's billing system will pay an additional 5% billing fee. The changes are a result of Epic Games' lawsuit against Google, which required the company to make structural changes to its Play Store operations. Apple also made changes to its App Store policies following a lawsuit from Epic.

BetaBeacon

June 24, 2026

Mobile Gaming Market 2026: $157B, iOS vs Android Breakdown

The global mobile gaming market closed at 7.60 billion in 2025, showing significant growth from the previous year. In-app purchases reached billion globally across iOS and Android. The trend is clear: mobile gaming is now larger than ever before. Despite Android's dominance in global device market share, the App Store generates significantly more gaming revenue per user. The iOS user base in the United States and Japan skews towards higher disposable income brackets. The settlement of Epic Games' antitrust case against Google has reshaped mobile gaming platforms in 2025–2026, allowing third-party payment systems on the Play Store.

Winsage

June 23, 2026

“Windows Search needs less Bing” — Microsoft is finally adding an off switch in Windows 11

Microsoft has unveiled build 26300.8697 for Windows 11, which includes a new setting that allows users to disable Bing-powered web results in the Windows Search function. This feature aims to provide a more focused search experience by minimizing distractions from online suggestions. Users in the European Economic Area have had similar controls due to the Digital Markets Act, and Microsoft is now extending this functionality to all markets. The new setting can be found under Settings > Privacy & security > Search and is labeled "Web Searches." Additionally, the "Privacy & security" page has been reorganized for better usability, with new entry points for features like Passkeys and the Custom Dictionary. Currently, the feature is not officially available and can only be activated using ViveTool feature IDs, indicating that it is still in development.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Free Software Foundation Europe pushes EU to force Google to allow AI uninstalls on Android

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) has raised concerns with the European Commission regarding AI features in Android devices, specifically that Google installs AI models without user consent and that these models can automatically reinstall after being deleted, violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The FSFE advocates for users to fully uninstall pre-loaded AI components without silent reinstallation and for access to interoperability features to be independent of registration with Google. Google plans to implement an Android Developer Certification by September 2026, requiring developers to register with the company to publish apps on certified devices, which has raised concerns for Free Software developers and those in regions where revealing identity could lead to surveillance. The FSFE warns that unchanged draft measures could allow Google to enforce identity verification for developers, contradicting the DMA's intent.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

Microsoft Auto-Installs Microsoft 365 Copilot on Windows

Microsoft has recommenced the automatic installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot application on eligible commercial Windows devices as of June 2026. The rollout targets devices running Windows 10 (22H2 or later) and Windows 11 with existing Microsoft 365 desktop applications, focusing initially on tenants with Copilot add-on licenses, expected to conclude by late July 2026. Enterprise administrators can manage this installation through a policy titled 'Disable Microsoft 365 Copilot auto-install,' introduced in May 2026. Users can manually uninstall the app, which will not be reinstalled for 90 days if removed. The rollout will not affect the European Economic Area due to exemptions under the Digital Markets Act. This resumption follows a previous halt in March 2026 due to a configuration error and backlash from users regarding the original rollout plan set for October 2025.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Meta loses challenge against EU gatekeeper label for Messenger

Meta Platforms has faced a setback as the EU's second-highest court upheld the European Commission's classification of the Messenger app as a 'gatekeeper,' confirming its role as a crucial gateway for businesses to connect with users. However, the court annulled the gatekeeper designation for Meta's Marketplace platform, stating that the Commission had not sufficiently justified this classification. The court's ruling on Marketplace is less significant, as the Commission had already rescinded the gatekeeper label for it last year. A Meta spokesperson expressed relief over the decision regarding Marketplace and mentioned the company is reviewing the findings on Messenger. The ruling is subject to appeal at the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Winsage

May 26, 2026

How to Remove Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 and 11)

Removing Microsoft Edge from Windows can be complex due to its integration as a system component, especially in Windows 10 and standard Windows 11 installations. Edge may not have a straightforward Uninstall button in the Settings page, but methods exist for uninstallation, including using Edge's own installer or command-line approaches. In the EU, users may find an easier uninstall option in Settings due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). To uninstall Edge, users should check their Windows version and region, install a replacement browser beforehand, and be aware that updates might reinstall Edge. Elevated permissions are typically required for uninstallation methods. Method A involves using Edge's setup.exe in uninstall mode from its Installer directory, which is widely compatible. Method B allows for a Settings-based uninstall in certain EU Windows 11 builds influenced by DMA. Method C uses PowerShell to remove Edge partially but may not be effective on newer builds. Method D suggests disabling Edge instead of fully uninstalling it for better system stability. Advanced techniques exist but carry risks, including potential system integrity issues. Users should consider application dependencies and the likelihood of Windows updates restoring Edge. For enterprise environments, policy-based control is preferred over complete removal. The EU DMA is driving changes toward a more modular Windows architecture, allowing for greater user choice regarding browser components.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

EU tells Google to open Android to AI rivals

The European Commission has proposed measures to encourage Google to allow greater access for rival AI services on its Android operating system, aiming to enhance user choice and flexibility. These proposals are part of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which seeks to promote competition among major tech companies. Google has criticized the measures, expressing concerns about potential increased costs and risks to user privacy and security. The EU is evaluating compliance with these measures, which could lead to further scrutiny if Google does not comply. Violations of the DMA can result in fines up to 10 percent of a company's global turnover. Google is currently facing multiple inquiries under the DMA and has recently been fined 2.95 billion euros in a separate EU competition case.