In response to new EU tech regulations, Google, Meta Platforms, Qualcomm, Lynx, and others, have formed the Coalition for Open Digital Ecosystems (CODE), in an active step to potentially influence future legislation while aligning with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
CODE expressed its mission to advance open platforms and systems, highlighting the potential benefits for growth and innovation in Europe. The coalition plans to engage with academics, policymakers, and other companies to explore and implement digital openness within the framework of the DMA and future EU regulatory developments.
Under the DMA, gatekeepers, which are large tech companies controlling access to their platforms, are required to facilitate interoperability with third parties and enable their business users to promote and conduct transactions outside the gatekeeper’s platform.
Stan Larroque, founder of French augmented reality startup, Lynx, noted in a statement, the importance of openness for fostering innovation and positively impacting competitiveness in the digital landscape.
“We have had a number of conversations in the past few months about what ‘good’ looks like when it comes to digital ecosystems in Europe, what fosters innovation, and what will positively impact competitiveness. We think openness is the crucial element.” Larroque said.
Besides Google, Meta Platforms, and Qualcomm and Lynx, other CODE members include Chinese tech giants, Honor and Lenovo, Motorola, UK electronics maker, Nothing, Opera, and Wire, a German messaging services provider.
The coalition’s goals include fostering cross-industry collaboration, promoting seamless connectivity, and advocating for interoperable systems to open up digital ecosystems. This collaborative effort is positioned to play a role in shaping the digital landscape and regulatory environment in Europe.