- The European Commission has included Apple’s iPad operating system (OS) in the special regulations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
- The EU has designated six companies, including Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft, as gatekeepers, with 22 services from these companies identified as key regulatory targets.
The European Unionhas applied the same regulations to the iPad operating system as those previously imposed on Apple’s iPhone operating system.
Implementation of regulations
The EU has included Apple‘s iPhone in the Gatekeeper list of the DMA, which came into effect last month. The issue stems from iOS, Safari (a web browser), and the App Store creating a closed ecosystem, barring application developers from offering services on iPhones without involving Apple.
Consequently, Apple is required to implement measures enabling iPad users to download applications from outside the Apple ecosystem or remove pre-installed apps from devices within a six-month timeframe.
Also read: The ultimate guide to iPhone EU chargers
Extending the scope of regulation
The iPad has not been subjected to special regulations. Last year, the EU designated 22 services from companies such as Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft. However, iPadOS and Microsoft’s browser Edge, search engine Bing, and its online advertising services were excluded, as they did not meet quantitative requirements.
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Additionally, the EU has launched an investigation into whether the DMA adequately protects obligations for Alphabet, Apple, and Meta. If found in violation of obligations, platform businesses could face fines of up to 10% of their total sales. Repeated violations may result in fines increasing up to 20%.
