A European Union court has rejected Apple’s bid to challenge its designation as a “gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), upholding the Commission’s regulatory authority. The court ruled that Apple’s argument regarding fundamental rights lacked a direct legal connection to the designation, while also dismissing the company’s attempt to treat its five separate App Stores as individual services.
Why did the court reject Apple’s legal challenge?
The General Court of the European Union dismissed Apple’s attempt to decouple its App Stores, according to the court’s recent ruling. Apple had argued that its stores for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV should be treated as distinct entities. The court found that these services collectively serve the same primary purpose: connecting app developers with end users, regardless of the specific hardware used.
Additionally, the court threw out Apple’s claim that the DMA’s interoperability obligations infringed upon its fundamental rights. Because the court found no direct legal link between the interoperability provisions and the initial gatekeeper designation decision, it declined to rule on the substance of those rights-based arguments.
How does the DMA affect Apple’s product rollout?
The regulatory tension between Brussels and Cupertino has already resulted in tangible changes for European consumers. Last month, Apple confirmed that it would withhold its new Siri AI assistant and other features from devices in the European Union, citing concerns over the DMA’s requirements.
According to Apple, the company believes the DMA’s mandate “goes beyond what is lawful and proportionate.” A spokesperson for the company stated that these rules threaten to erode long-standing privacy and security protections, potentially leaving users vulnerable to new risks. While Apple maintains that it will continue to advocate for its version of privacy and innovation, it has not yet confirmed whether it plans to appeal the court’s recent decision.
Pro Tip: Understanding Gatekeeper Status
What happens next for EU tech regulation?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Digital Markets Act (DMA)?
Did the court rule on Apple’s privacy concerns?
No. The court rejected Apple’s fundamental rights argument on procedural grounds, finding it lacked a direct connection to the designation decision, and did not address the substance of the privacy claims.
Will Apple appeal this decision?
Apple has not yet stated whether it intends to appeal the court’s ruling, though it maintains that the DMA’s requirements remain problematic.
Why is Siri AI not available in the EU?
Apple has publicly attributed the delay of its upgraded Siri AI in the EU to the constraints imposed by the DMA’s regulatory framework.
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