The European Union has extended its regulations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to now include Apple’s iPadOS, giving the tech giant a deadline of six months to ensure compliance with the new rules. This move has the potential to bring about significant changes in how Apple operates its tablet platform within the EU.
Under the new regulations, Apple will be required to adhere to several guidelines, including a ban on self-preferencing services, allowing third-party app stores, supporting third-party payment options, and opening up access to non-WebKit versions of Safari on iPadOS. Additionally, app developers utilizing iPadOS will now have legal rights to fair and non-discriminatory terms.
This expansion of the DMA to iPadOS comes after Apple’s mobile platform iOS, App Store, and Safari browser were already covered by the regulations last fall. Despite announcing changes to its operating platforms in response to the DMA, Apple is currently under investigation for alleged noncompliance. The European Commission found that both end users and business users are essentially “locked-in” to using iPadOS, prompting the need for stricter regulations.
Apple has stated that it will cooperate with the European Commission to ensure compliance with the DMA. The Commission took approximately eight months to conclude its investigation of iPadOS, marking it as the sole market investigation conducted since the introduction of the DMA. Notably, Apple’s iMessage was not designated as subject to the DMA in a previous decision, thereby avoiding interoperability obligations.
These developments highlight the increasing scrutiny by regulators on tech giants such as Apple, as the EU seeks to level the playing field and promote fair competition within the digital market. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing saga.
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