Apple Loses EU Fight Over App Store Gatekeeper Label

[MacRumors]

Apple's challenge against the EU's designation of its App Stores and iOS platform as "gatekeepers" was dismissed by Europe's top court on Wednesday, reports Reuters.

"The General Court dismisses Apple's actions regarding its designation as a gatekeeper in relation to the App Store and iOS," the Luxembourg-based tribunal said.

Apple took its case to Luxembourg's General Court in 2024 after the European Commission designated its five App Stores – on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch – as a single core platform service under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a label that brings with it a set of strict obligations.

Designated "gatekeepers" are prohibited from favoring their own services over those of rivals, and are prevented from combining personal data across different services. They also have to give users the option to use alternative app stores.

Apple also challenged the EU's designation of iOS as a gateway platform, a status that requires the operating system allows rival services to interoperate with it.

The company also disputed the classification of iMessage as a number-independent interpersonal communications service, or NIICS, which would subject the app to EU telecoms rules. But the General Court said Apple's actions regarding the iMessage service are inadmissible.

To be classified as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA, a company must fulfill certain criteria, including having sales across the EU of at least €7.5 billion, or a market capitalization of €75 billion or above. The designation also requires platforms or services to have more than 45 million monthly active users and over 10,000 active business users annually within the EU.

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Article Link: Apple Loses EU Fight Over App Store Gatekeeper Label

 

[pbau]

Stop.
We need Apple to pay taxes in EU.
We need the same features across all countries (Siri, AI tools, iPhone Mirroring and so on).

 

[one more]

A pity! So much for the recent Apple-EC “constructive” negotiations. They do meet the gatekeeper criteria, though, so what was the point of arguing?

 

[vtrautia]

Apple should be proud of gatekeeper status.

 

[Will Co]

Stop.
We need Apple to pay taxes in EU.
We need the same features across all countries (Siri, AI tools, iPhone Mirroring and so on).

This. They're going to effectively force Apple to provide a watered down, much less useful service to those customers resident in the EU. I agree that controls need to be put in place to limit the power of the very large technology companies, but the EU is going about it in wholly the wrong way. I'm so glad the UK is no longer part of this nonsense. I suspect the same thing is going to happen or already has happened to Android?

 

[MeasterHD]

EU and its dictatorship in action.

 

[JoEw]

Does this just mean the EU can make more arbitrary demands from Apple in perpetuity?

 

[Smartuser]

My first action before I waste my virtual breath on a court's decision is always to check if this can be appealed. Most rumor sites either don't bring this up at all or only in a little sentence near the end. This article doesn't even bother, but an appeal is possible.

See you in a few years on this subject.

(Edited for clarity)

 

[MeasterHD]

This. They're going to effectively force Apple to provide a watered down, much less useful service to those customers resident in the EU. I agree that controls need to be put in place to limit the power of the very large technology companies, but the EU is going about it in wholly the wrong way. I'm so glad the UK is no longer part of this nonsense. I suspect the same thing is going to happen or already has happened to Android?

I don’t really mind as it is and I’m comfortable with it. And I’m starting to be fed up with all ridiculous regulations, prohibitions and useless laws.

 

[one more]

Stop.
We need Apple to pay taxes in EU.
We need the same features across all countries (Siri, AI tools, iPhone Mirroring and so on).

Then Apple will need to comply with the rules, just as they have done before with the alternative browser list (pretty confusing for an average user, IMO), the alternative app stores (not much use either) and the delayed rolling out of Apple Intelligence.

Every problem has a solution; it is just that at the moment both Apple and the EC are in the posturing phase, flexing their political and economic muscles. They will sort it out, eventually, as currently the EU customers (whose interests both Apple and the EC claim to protect) are losing out on the new features.

 

[foobarbaz]

A pity! So much for the recent Apple-EC “constructive” negotiations. They do meet the gatekeeper criteria, though, so what was the point of arguing?

The negotiations were never about Apple no longer being a gatekeeper. The negotiations were how to fulfill the obligations of being a gatekeeper.

This verdict just confirms that the commission was correct in applying the DMA to Apple in the first place. Negotiations were moot if Apple had somehow won this case.

 

[one more]

I suspect the same thing is going to happen or already has happened to Android?

Yep, the EC is starting to shake up Google as well. Google are sneakier, though, as their services are fragmented into smaller chunks, reducing the overall numbers, but the EC will be going after them too now.

 

[kotaKat]

But remember: It's Okay When Timmy Tencent Does It

 

[one more]

This verdict just confirms that the commission was correct in applying the DMA to Apple in the first place. Negotiations were moot if Apple had somehow won this case.

I wonder why Apple bothered to take it to the court in the first place, then. How could Apple have won the case if they meet or surpass the set gatekeeper criteria?

 

[Lyrics23]

Not a surprise ruling, but really good news nonetheless.

These tech-giants have had virtually free reign for so long that the new wave regulations that have teeth enough to actually hold these companies responsible for their operations is fantastic to see.

 

[SanderEvers]

So the EU court rules in favor of the EU Commision ruling. Who would've thought that.

 

[t0rqx]

With great power comes with great responsibility.

 

[omenatarhuri]

Mac App Store shouldn’t be. Apple makes it easy enough to sign and distribute Mac apps any way the dev wants.

 

[Marcpek]

EU and its dictatorship in action.

Interesting take... for me a dictatorship would be the exact opposite, that is: a dictatorship would allow corporations to grow unchecked regardless of consumer rights, until they form oligarchies that completely ignore consumer rights. And it would be completely fine with it as long as the dictator can pocket plenty of bribes. I name no names, if this reminds you of something or someone it's not my fault.

 

[rme]

My first action before I waste my virtual breath on a court's decision is always to check if this can be appealed. Most rumor sites either don't bring this up at all or in a little sentence near the end. This article doesn't even, but there is one.

See you in a few years on this subject.

There's no point really. It's not an independent court like the us supreme court.

 

[rme]

The negotiations were never about Apple no longer being a gatekeeper. The negotiations were how to fulfill the obligations of being a gatekeeper.

This verdict just confirms that the commission was correct in applying the DMA to Apple in the first place. Negotiations were moot if Apple had somehow won this case.

😂 That court is as independent as the Russian supreme court.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

currently the EU customers (whose interests both Apple and the EC claim to protect) are losing out on the new features

While I agree most of these features are focused on AI, hence they are of limited use to most of us.

 

[spazzcat]

At this point does it matter, DMA been a failure, nothing has really changed other than EU doesn't get some new features that Apple has come out with. Third-party app stores have gotten zero traction and barely rise the level of hobby.

 

[sw1tcher]

So the EU court rules in favor of the EU Commision ruling. Who would've thought that.

The EU court does not always agree with a EU Commission ruling.

For instance, the EU Commission labeled Meta's Marketplace platform as a gatekeeper, but Luxembourg's General Court disagreed and annulled that gatekeeper designation.

 

[one more]

At this point does it matter, DMA been a failure, nothing has really changed other than EU doesn't get some new features that Apple has come out with. Third-party app stores have gotten zero traction and barely rise the level of hobby.

I agree, I think the DMA has caused more harm or confusion to an average EU customer than brought any tangible benefit. The only possible positive I can think of is what is coming up now – easier pairing and setup for third-party accessories with Apple devices. Otherwise, not much use.