EU targets smart TVs and voice assistants in new competition crackdown

The European Union is tightening its focus on smart TVs and voice assistants as part of its competition policy. Major tech firms like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Samsung now face scrutiny over their role as potential gateways controlling access to digital content. Media companies claim these platforms hold too much market power and are pushing for stricter oversight.

European media firms argue that big tech platforms are sidelining their content. They say these systems act as central gateways, deciding what users can see and find. The EU's Digital Markets Act already includes rules for 'gatekeepers,' and smart TVs may soon fall under this framework.

The debate centres on whether existing competition laws need strengthening. Media companies want consistent enforcement of current rules to level the playing field. They also urge the EU to expand regulations if necessary, ensuring fair conditions in the long term. No recent data on market share trends for leading smart TV or voice assistant manufacturers in the EU has been made public. Yet the EU's push reflects growing concerns about how these technologies shape access to content and competition.

The EU's review could lead to stricter controls on smart TVs and voice assistants. If classified as gatekeepers, major tech firms may face new obligations under competition law. The outcome will determine how content is distributed and discovered across digital platforms.