Tech companies such as Google and Amazon have to inform companies according to new EU rules how products are ranked on their platforms. For example, unfair trading practices of online companies and app stores must be prevented.

The new rules are aimed at Google Play, the App Store of Apple, the Microsoft Store and eBay. Facebook and Yahoo also have to deal with the rules.

The European Commission fined Google in 2017 a fine of more than 2.4 billion euros because of abuse of power with its search engine. Google would have set its own price comparator Google Shopping in its search results, compared to competitors like TripAdvisor and Amazon. This is how Google gave itself an unfair advantage.

In order to prevent this type of practice, new rules have been drawn up. European Commissioner Andrus Ansip (Digital Market) says he wants to make trading platforms more transparent. “At the same time, the benefits of the online platforms for consumers and businesses must be protected,” he says.