Brussels launches assault on tech giants as crackdown gathers pace Margarethe Vestager said the rules would allow for 'all businesses operating in Europe to freely and fairly compete online' 15 December 2020 • 6:01pm Brussels has unveiled sweeping new regulations to “put order into chaos” within digital markets, setting out tough restrictions for some of the world’s largest technology companies. In two new pieces of legislation published on Tuesday, the European Commission released details of a crackdown designed to level the playing field between so-called “gatekeeper” companies and smaller businesses. Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook are all expected to be subject to the tougher restrictions.