Apple's iPadOS subject to tough EU tech rules, EU says

29.04.2024

Apple’s new operating system for iPads has been classified as a gatekeeper by EU antitrust regulators due to its significance for business users, according to the European Commission. This classification is in line with the Digital Markets Act, which categorizes certain services from major tech companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and ByteDance as gatekeepers.

The Commission’s decision comes after an investigation initiated in September last year, during which Apple’s iOS, Safari browser, and App Store were also labeled as gatekeepers. Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s antitrust chief, emphasized that iPadOS serves as a crucial gateway for many companies to reach their customers.

Despite not meeting certain thresholds, the number of business users relying on iPadOS far exceeds expectations, while end user numbers are also significant and expected to grow. Both business and end users are entrenched in iPadOS due to its extensive ecosystem.

Apple has been given six months to comply with the Digital Markets Act and has expressed its commitment to engage with the European Commission for compliance across all designated services.