Apple has lost a court challenge against European Union regulations that classify it as a “gatekeeper,” according to a ruling from the European Court of Justice. As a result, Apple must continue allowing rival services to interoperate with its five app stores under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The court also deemed Apple’s objections related to an EU investigation of its iMessage service as “inadmissible.”
Apple contested the DMA on three grounds. One challenge involved the requirement for rival hardware, including earbuds and smartwatches, to be compatible with the iPhone, which the company stated posed security risks. The second objection dealt with its designation as a “gatekeeper” across its various app stores, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. The third challenge was against the EU Commission’s probe regarding whether iMessage should be classified as a covered service.
The court rejected Apple’s challenge concerning the iMessage investigation but upheld the EU’s conclusion that all five app stores should be considered a single core platform service under the DMA. The ruling mandates that Apple grant rivals open access to its app stores and prohibits the company from favoring its services over those of competitors.
Apple expressed disagreement with the ruling but has yet to announce plans for an appeal. “We firmly believe the DMA’s mandate goes beyond what is lawful and proportionate, threatening to erode decades of privacy and security protections we’ve built and leaving our users vulnerable to new risks,” an Apple spokesperson stated. The spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and privacy for its European customers.
In recent developments, Apple has attributed delays in launching its Siri AI assistant in the EU to compliance with the DMA. Additionally, Apple CEO Tim Cook and European technology chief Henna Virkkunen recently had a “constructive” discussion concerning these matters, as described by an EU Commission spokesperson.
Apple continues to face two pending legal actions within EU courts. One involves a challenge against the EU Commission’s directive to open iOS to third-party developers, while the other is an appeal regarding a €500 million fine for anti-steering violations imposed in April last year.
