Google, Facebook face tough tech rules from UK's new digital watchdog

Digital watchdog will protect small businesses and consumers; can impose fines on tech firms

Big tech companies like Google and Facebook parent Meta would have to comply with tough British rules under a new digital watchdog aimed at giving consumers more choice online — or face the threat of big fines.

The United Kingdom on Friday outlined the powers it's planning for its Digital Markets Unit, a regulator set up last year to take on the dominance of tech giants. It didn't specify when the rules would take effect, saying only that legislation would come “in due course.” The new UK watchdog would enforce rules that make it easier for people to switch between iPhones