The European Commission has already compelled Apple to open up app distribution and connectivity in most European countries, and now it could be targeting Apple Maps.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) was enacted in late 2022 to prevent large companies from abusing their market power and ensure fair competition. It introduced the “gatekeeper” designation for significant companies to comply with the DMA’s terms.
In late 2023, the EC designated six big tech companies as gatekeepers, including Apple, giving them until March 2024 to meet the new requirements. The focus was on specific services like the App Store, Apple Pay, and Safari’s WebKit browser engine.
This led Apple to announce changes in the EU, such as adjusting the App Store fee structure, allowing alternative app marketplaces, and opening up NFC payments and browser engine development on the iPhone.
The EU’s gatekeeper designations initially applied only to the iPhone, but later expanded to include the iPad as an important gateway for businesses, despite not meeting the thresholds officially.
Next Up: Apple Maps
Apple Maps has now caught the attention of regulators by surpassing the gatekeeper threshold of 45 million active monthly users, as reported by Reuters. Apple’s advertising services have also met this mark.
The European Commission will decide whether Apple Maps and Apple Ads should be designated as gatekeepers within 45 working days. If approved, Apple would have six months to comply with the DMA’s obligations.
Apple has contested the gatekeeper status for Apple Maps and Apple Ads, arguing against their classification. The company claims Apple Ads is not a significant player compared to giants like Google and Meta, while Apple Maps lacks features to connect users and businesses effectively.
If Apple Maps falls under DMA regulation, changes may include allowing third-party developers to integrate with iOS like Apple Maps does and enhancing direct integration with Apple Maps for apps.
