Apple challenges EU big tech rules in court

Apple has launched a legal challenge against the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the General Court in Luxembourg.

The DMA, introduced in 2023, aims to regulate the world’s largest tech firms through new antitrust measures.

Apple’s lawyer argued that the law imposes heavy obligations on the company. These include requirements to make its iPhone compatible with rival hardware and bringing the App Store under the law’s scope.

The lawyer also mentioned a decision to investigate whether iMessage should be covered by the rules — which it ultimately was not.

EU Commission lawyers said Apple’s control over the iPhone ecosystem restricts competition and gives the company advantages in related markets.

The company is also challenging a €500 million (US$540 million) fine linked to alleged App Store violations under the DMA.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) orders carry 60‑day deadlines and escalating penalties

The European Commission fined Apple €500 million over App Store anti‑steering restrictions (rules that limit an app’s ability to direct users to external purchase options) 1. It ordered Apple to remove those technical and commercial limits, and to stop repeating the conduct; Apple plans to appeal 1.
Apple has 60 days to change its practices to match the decision 2. Late compliance can trigger daily fines up to 5% of annual turnover; repeat breaches can reach 20% of global turnover under the DMA 2.

EU developers and marketplace operators can apply for Apple DMA entitlements and new distribution options

Developers can request the Web Browser Engine Entitlement and the Embedded Browser Engine Entitlement (Apple‑issued permissions that grant apps access to specific system capabilities) on EU devices running iOS 17.4 or iPadOS 18 3. They can use non‑WebKit engines in dedicated browsers or in‑app browsing if they meet Apple’s security and privacy rules (WebKit is Apple’s browser engine) 3.
Alternative distribution is available via notarized channels (Apple’s security‑vetting process that lets apps be distributed outside the App Store) 4 5. Apple has rolled out more than 600 new APIs and tools 4 5. The Core Technology Fee (an Apple platform fee for access to core services) starts only after an app tops 1 million first annual installs, with exemptions and on‑ramps for smaller developers 4.
In the European Economic Area (EEA), users get contactless transaction APIs using Host Card Emulation (HCE) for in‑app Near Field Communication (NFC), and apps that use alternative payments must handle refunds plus subscription management with their providers 4.