Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has failed in its attempt to overturn European Union rules that classify the App Store and the iOS operating system as “gatekeeper” services under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
EU Court Backs Digital Markets Act Decision
The EU’s General Court in Luxembourg upheld the European Commission’s decision to designate both the App Store and iOS as core platform services subject to the DMA. The legislation imposes wide-ranging obligations on major technology companies and allows regulators to impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s global annual revenue for non-compliance.
“The General Court dismisses Apple’s actions regarding its designation as a gatekeeper in relation to the App Store and iOS,” the court said, confirming that regulators acted correctly in applying the DMA to both services.
The ruling follows last week’s decision against Google in its long-running appeal over a record EU antitrust fine linked to Android.
Apple’s Challenges Rejected
Apple sought to challenge several aspects of the DMA, including requirements to improve interoperability between the iPhone and third-party hardware, the inclusion of the App Store within the legislation, and the treatment of its iMessage service. While iMessage ultimately avoided designation under the rules, the court ruled that Apple’s legal challenge relating to the messaging platform was inadmissible.
“We firmly believe the DMA’s mandate goes beyond what is lawful and proportionate, threatening to erode decades of privacy and security protections we’ve built and leaving our users vulnerable to new risks,” an Apple spokesperson said.
Apple retains the right to appeal the decision on legal grounds before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Pressure Builds on Big Tech
The case dates back to 2024, when the European Commission designated Apple’s App Stores across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Watch ecosystem as a single core platform service under the DMA. The General Court has now endorsed that decision.
The latest ruling is expected to strengthen the European Commission’s enforcement of the Digital Markets Act against major technology companies. The legislation has faced strong opposition from Apple and criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has also raised concerns about the DMA during trade discussions with the European Union.
Apple is separately contesting a €500 million fine imposed over alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act.