Apple challenges European Commission’s Digital Markets Act in legal case

Apple has initiated legal proceedings against decisions made by the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act, a recent regulatory framework targeting major tech companies. The company’s primary objection, not publicly disclosed, is reported to focus on the inclusion of its App Store as one of the regulated ‘gatekeeper’ services.

This legal move follows similar appeals from Meta and TikTok, raising concerns about the impact of designations on their respective services. The legislation aims to enhance user choice by promoting interoperability among competing services and allowing users to select pre-installed apps on their devices. Apple has yet to provide an official comment on the matter.

Why does it matter?

Apple stated earlier this month that it expected to change App Store policies to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), as revealed in its fiscal year 2023 Form 10-K filing. The filing’s updated language shows a clearer position on potential changes, including possible adjustments to developer fees, app distribution outside the App Store, and communication between developers and consumers regarding alternative purchasing methods.

Last year, an antitrust intervention in the Netherlands previewed the impact of upcoming policy changes on Apple’s App Store, as local authorities forced the acceptance of alternative payment methods for dating apps, not just Apple’s. While the Dutch action was limited to a specific app category, the broader implications of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) across the EU make its impact more significant.