EU Launches Proceedings Against Apple to Comply with Digital Markets Act

EU Launches Proceedings Against Apple to Comply with Digital Markets ActThe EU's antitrust regulator has today initiated legal proceedings to ensure Apple complies with a landmark rule requiring it to open up its closed ecosystem to competitors. Under the formal procedure, the European Commission will outline the steps Apple must take to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA)

EU Launches Proceedings Against Apple to Comply with Digital Markets Act

The EU's antitrust regulator has today initiated legal proceedings to ensure Apple complies with a landmark rule requiring it to open up its closed ecosystem to competitors. Under the formal procedure, the European Commission will outline the steps Apple must take to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Specifically, EU competition enforcers will focus on two proceedings:

The first proceeding concerns several features of the iOS connectivity functionality, which are primarily used to connect devices and are used by connected devices. This suggests that the European Commission will require Apple to open the connectivity interfaces on its devices, allowing devices from other manufacturers to interoperate with Apple devices.

The second proceeding concerns the process established by Apple to handle requests from developers and third parties for interoperability with iOS and iPadOS. This indicates that the European Commission will require Apple to be more transparent and fair in handling requests from developers and third-party companies, and to ensure that they can more easily obtain the necessary access to Apple's operating system.

This EU action aims to break Apple's monopoly in the mobile operating system market and create a level playing field for competitors. The European Commission believes that Apple's current closed ecosystem stifles innovation and consumer choice, while an open ecosystem would promote competition and ultimately benefit consumers.

As previously reported by IT Home, Apple was warned earlier today by the EU to open its heavily guarded iPhone operating system to competitor technologies, or face potentially massive fines. This EU lawsuit is a further action following that warning, indicating that the European Commission will firmly enforce the DMA and ensure Apple complies with its provisions.

This action by the European Commission has attracted widespread attention, signaling a global intensification of antitrust regulation of tech giants. In the future, Apple will face greater pressure to adapt to the new regulatory environment.