The European Commission has launched fresh antitrust investigations into Apple, Google and Meta, sharpening its scrutiny of how the three tech giants run their platforms in Europe. Regulators are examining whether app store fees and targeted advertising practices may violate the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, which was designed to curb the power of dominant digital firms.

The probes add to the pressure facing Big Tech as lawmakers and competition officials across Europe push for stricter enforcement. Apple is under review for how it charges developers and controls access to its app ecosystem, while Google and Meta are being examined over their advertising models and the way user data may be used to shape targeted ads.

The Commission has not accused the companies of wrongdoing at this stage, but the new cases signal a more aggressive regulatory stance. If violations are found, the firms could face major fines and be required to change business practices that have drawn criticism from rivals, publishers and consumer advocates.

The investigations come as Europe tries to prove that its digital rules can rein in some of the world’s most powerful corporations. For users and smaller competitors, the outcome could help determine whether the region’s tech market becomes more open, or remains dominated by a few platform giants.