As regulators get tough, Big Tech’s easy ride is coming to an end

Tech companies of a certain size have long expected an easy ride from authorities, and for good reason. They always got it.

Apple Inc. for years abused loopholes to pay virtually zero tax in the European Union while generating record profits there, thanks to special treatment from Ireland, where it bases its European headquarters. Alphabet Inc.’s Google for years was able to entrench its dominance in search thanks to the special treatment the company gave its own shopping service over competitors.