The Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services (ACT) has urged the EU’s antitrust chief to apply DMA-style regulation to set-top boxes and smart TVs, citing concerns over market control by a limited number of operators. The group highlighted that major TV operating systems are increasingly able to influence outcomes for millions of users and businesses by controlling access to audiences and content distribution.
In its letter to EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, ACT called for key TV platforms to be designated as gatekeepers, ensuring regulatory oversight to maintain fairness and contestability. The letter also suggested, somewhat controversially, that virtual assistants may require similar regulation.
Apple TV was mentioned in the discussion, though it represents only a small share of the market compared to devices like Roku streaming sticks and built-in TV operating systems. According to ACT’s cited data, Android TV accounts for 23%, Amazon Fire OS 12%, and Samsung Tizen OS 24%, leaving roughly 31% to other platforms, including Xiaomi, game consoles, and likely Apple TV, which appears to hold a minimal share.
ACT’s membership includes leading broadcasters and streaming platforms such as Canal+, RTL, Mediaset, ITV, Paramount+, NBCUniversal, Walt Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Sky, and TF1 Groupe, while Apple TV and Netflix are notably not part of the group. Analysts suggest that the regulatory push is primarily financially motivated, with Apple’s inclusion in reports likely incidental, and with little immediate impact expected on the company without major adjustments.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission has banned the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers
Following pressure from U.S. regulatory committees over national security concerns, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of all new foreign-made consumer routers. The move comes amid fears of espionage and botnet vulnerabilities linked to foreign hardware.
Chinese brands captured more than 65% of the U.S. router market during the pandemic, prompting scrutiny from regulators. Domestic manufacturers such as Netgear lobbied and filed lawsuits to curb foreign competition, and the FCC’s recent ban reflects both security and economic considerations.
The FCC cited national security risks, emphasizing the need for routers manufactured in the U.S. via secure supply chains. While router firmware can contain vulnerabilities that require regular updates, cybersecurity experts note that products from companies like TP-Link—which is now U.S.-based but originally founded in China—are patched proactively and are no more vulnerable than competitors’ devices.
Despite this, TP-Link has faced targeted criticism from domestic rivals and regulators, partly due to its widespread adoption: more than 300 U.S. ISPs use TP-Link routers as default equipment. Netgear has highlighted security concerns about TP-Link, a move TP-Link described as a “smear campaign.”
Regulators remain concerned that cheaper foreign-made routers could undercut U.S. manufacturers and pose potential security risks, though no evidence has emerged to suggest intentional vulnerabilities were introduced for espionage purposes. The ban effectively prioritizes domestic production while reflecting ongoing tensions over Chinese technology in the U.S. market.
European television broadcasters are calling for regulatory action targeting major tech companies’ streaming hardware
