Apple Challenges EU’s Crackdown on App Store and iMessage in Legal Battle
Apple is gearing up to contest the European Union’s recent crackdown on the dominance of big tech companies, marking the beginning of what could be a series of appeals against the Digital Markets Act. The tech giant is planning to dispute the EU regulator’s decision to include the entire App Store on the block’s new digital antitrust list. Additionally, Apple intends to argue that its iMessage service should not be subject to closer scrutiny from regulators.
While Apple’s appeal is still in draft form and subject to change before the November 16 deadline to file challenges, individuals familiar with the matter have confirmed the company’s intentions. However, both Apple and the European Commission have yet to comment on the situation.
This move sets the stage for another potential legal dispute between Apple, the world’s largest tech company, and the EU. Apple is already embroiled in a battle with EU lawyers over alleged unpaid taxes in Ireland. Furthermore, the company faces separate EU antitrust probes concerning its tap-and-pay technology and its treatment of music streaming rivals like Spotify.
Under the new Digital Markets Act, the largest digital firms will have to comply with rigorous regulations, and the EU Commission’s powers as the region’s antitrust enforcer will be strengthened. Specifically, these platforms will be prohibited from favoring their own services over rivals’ offerings. They will also be barred from leveraging data collected from third-party merchants to compete against them and will be required to allow users to download apps from competing platforms.
Even with an ongoing appeal, Apple will still be obligated to adhere to the rules once they go into effect on March 6. The company has already indicated that it expects to make changes to the App Store in response to the EU’s new regulations.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act encompasses a total of 22 Big Tech services, including Google Search, Apple’s Safari, Amazon’s marketplace, TikTok, and Facebook. This latest action by the EU aims to establish a fairer playing field within the digital marketplace and protect consumers’ interests.
As the legal battle between Apple and the EU unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will rule and what impact it may have on the future regulatory landscape for big tech companies. Nonetheless, with Apple’s appeal pending and the Digital Markets Act set to come into force, the tech giant will have to navigate regulatory hurdles in the months to come.
