A European court rejects Apple’s legal challenges against the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which imposes obligations on companies designated as “gatekeepers.” Apple’s case targets rules requiring changes to how it manages its App Store and the iOS operating system, aiming to give rival app developers and services more room to compete. The DMA entered into force in May 2023 and has prompted legal challenges from multiple Big Tech firms, including Apple, Meta, and ByteDance.
Separately, the court also rules some of Apple’s actions—related to its iMessage service—are inadmissible, according to reporting from one outlet. Apple reiterates its broader criticism of the DMA, even as the decision leaves the EU rules in place. Under the DMA framework, non-compliance can lead to fines of up to 10% of a company’s global annual turnover, a penalty framework cited in coverage. Overall, the ruling confirms that the EU can apply the DMA’s gatekeeper obligations to Apple’s ecosystem while the legal challenges continue across different companies and issues.
