Apple Loses EU Court Challenge Over App Store & iOS Rules

Apple has lost its legal challenge against the European Union’s designation of its App Store and iOS as services covered by the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The EU General Court in Luxembourg upheld the European Commission’s decision to classify Apple as a gatekeeper for the App Store and iOS. The court also ruled that Apple’s challenge concerning iMessage was inadmissible. Apple has argued that the DMA places requirements on its business that could affect its privacy and security measures. The company can appeal the ruling before the Court of Justice of the European Union. The decision supports the EU’s approach to applying the DMA to major technology platforms and could influence further regulatory action against other companies.

Introduced in 2023, the DMA sets obligations for large technology companies to improve competition and limit practices that restrict rivals. Apple’s App Store has also faced a 500 million euro EU penalty over alleged DMA violations, which the company is separately challenging.