No one is above the laws of the DMA, not even Microsoft. Microsoft lists the adjustments it has made to Windows and LinkedIn to bring the platforms into line with European legislation.

The European Digital Markets Act came into force on March 7th. The aim of the new legislation is to create a level playing field in the technology sector and limit the competitive advantage of large technology giants. For companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft, this means that they cannot link their services indefinitely and aggressively force them on users. In a blog, Microsoft explains what the DMA actually means for Windows.

The most noticeable change for users is that you can more easily remove pre-installed system apps from Windows. Think of the Edge browser, which Microsoft forced on Windows users in every way, but also the Bing functionality in the taskbar, the Photos app, and Cortana (which Microsoft itself has already phased out). Microsoft is also opening the doors of the Start Menu, Search Bar, and Widgets app to third-party applications. These adjustments have been tested on the Insiders channel since November.

The DMA also sets rules for data processing. A multi-application provider like Microsoft is not allowed to easily transfer user data between these apps. Windows used to automatically sign you in to other Microsoft services, but that will stop now. As a result, Microsoft is no longer allowed to provide these other services with Windows user data. Microsoft is no longer allowed to use data that your PC collects from external applications against the platform providers.

LinkedIn

Microsoft also owns LinkedIn and is therefore responsible for ensuring that the social business medium complies with DMA guidelines. The most important adjustments for LinkedIn lie in how the platform handles your personal data. Users in the EU can more easily disassociate the platform from related LinkedIn services. LinkedIn is also adding new APIs for regular users and Company Page administrators to more easily access the data LinkedIn stores about them.

Microsoft managed to secure an exception for Bing and Edge because the services have a small enough market share in their respective markets to not be considered a major player. This exception does not mean that Microsoft continues to have free rein over its search engine and browser in Windows.