Apple has lost its legal challenge against the European Union’s landmark rules for reining in Big Tech, after an EU court rejected the company’s attempt to overturn its designation as a gatekeeper for the App Store and iOS.
Court Backs EU Gatekeeper Designation
The ruling strengthens the European Commission’s position as it tries to open digital markets dominated by major technology companies.
Reuters reported that the Luxembourg-based General Court dismissed Apple’s actions regarding its designation as a gatekeeper in relation to the App Store and iOS.
The Digital Markets Act is designed to stop dominant platforms from using their control over digital gateways to limit competitors.
The DMA sets out a list of “dos and don’ts” for Big Tech, backed by fines of as much as 10% of a company’s global annual turnover. That threat has made the law one of the most important regulatory tools in Europe’s wider campaign against Big Tech market power.
App Stores Treated as One Core Service
Apple had argued against the Commission’s decision to treat its five App Stores as a single core platform service.
Apple took its grievances to court in 2024 after the Commission designated its five App Stores on iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Apple TVs and Apple Watches as one core platform service under the DMA.
The judges sided with EU regulators. The court as said that, regardless of device, Apple’s stores have the same purpose: to connect app developers with end users and facilitate the distribution of software applications. That finding matters because it rejects Apple’s effort to separate its app stores by device category and strengthens the Commission’s ability to regulate Apple’s ecosystem as a connected platform.
iOS Interoperability Fight Continues
Apple also challenged the EU’s decision to treat iOS as an important gateway for businesses to reach users. Apple contested the labelling of iOS as an important gateway that requires the company to allow rivals to interoperate with the system.
Euractiv described the case as part of Apple’s challenge to the EU’s Big Tech rulebook.
This is one of the most sensitive parts of the DMA for Apple. Interoperability rules could require the company to open parts of its tightly controlled software environment to competitors. For regulators, that could increase user choice and reduce lock-in. For Apple, it raises questions about whether openness could weaken the privacy and security model it uses to distinguish its products.
iMessage Challenge Ruled Inadmissible
Apple also tried to challenge the classification of iMessage as a number-independent interpersonal communications service. Apple disputed the designation of iMessage as a NIICS, a category that could subject messaging services to DMA rules. The court ruled Apple’s actions regarding iMessage inadmissible.
The court said the iMessage classification did not currently change Apple’s legal position. The court as saying that none of the DMA obligations applies to iMessage because the service has not been listed in a designation decision as an important gateway. In practical terms, Apple lost the procedural fight, but iMessage is still not under the same DMA obligations as the App Store and iOS.
Apple Warns of Privacy and Security Risks
Apple continues to criticize the DMA. An Apple spokesperson as saying the DMA’s mandate goes beyond what is lawful and proportionate, threatening to erode decades of privacy and security protections and leaving users vulnerable to new risks. Apple said it would continue advocating for the innovation and privacy its European customers deserve.
Apple can still appeal on legal grounds. Apple has the right to appeal matters of law to the Court of Justice of the European Union, Europe’s highest court.
A Bigger Win for EU Tech Regulators
The decision is a major boost for Brussels because the DMA has already triggered legal challenges from Apple, Meta and ByteDance. The law has sparked challenges from Apple, Meta and ByteDance since it took effect in May 2023.
For Apple, the ruling keeps the pressure on its App Store and iOS business model in Europe. For the EU, it shows that its courts are willing to support the Commission’s attempt to make dominant digital platforms more open, contestable and competitive.
