CUPERTINO (dpa-AFX) - The European Commission announced that it has
designated Apple Inc.'s operating system for iPads, iPadOS, as a gatekeeper
under the Digital Markets Act or DMA as it constitutes an important gateway for
business users to reach end users. Apple now has six months to ensure that its
iPadOS fully complies with EU's DMA obligations.

On the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, Apple shares were gaining around 3.8 percent to
trade at $175.77.

The Commission's decision followed a market investigation launched in September
last year to assess whether iPadOS, despite not meeting the quantitative
thresholds laid down in the DMA, constitutes an important gateway for business
users to reach end users and therefore should be designated as a gatekeeper.

As per the investigation, the Commission concluded that iPadOS constitutes an
important gateway for business users to reach end users, and that Apple enjoys
an entrenched and durable position with respect to iPadOS.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said, 'Today we conclude the
first market investigation for qualitative designation under the DMA finding
that also iPadOS is an important gateway for businesses to reach consumers.
Apple has now six months to comply with the DMA obligations. We continue
monitoring market developments and will not hesitate to open new investigations
should other services below the thresholds present characteristics to be
considered important gateways for business users.'

In September last year, the Commission had designated Apple as a gatekeeper for
its operating system iOS, its browser Safari and its App Store

On the same day, Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft were also
designated by the Commission as gatekeepers. These tech majors had to fully
comply with all DMA obligations by March 7, 2024.

On March 25, the Commission opened non-compliance investigations into Alphabet's
rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, as well
asApple's rules on steering in the App Store and the choice screen for Safari,
and Meta's 'pay or consent model'.

The Commission announced additional investigatory steps to gather facts and
information in relation to Amazon's self-preferencing and Apple's alternative
app distribution and new business model.

Earlier, on March 1, the Commission received notifications from Booking,
ByteDance and X about their services potentially meeting the DMA thresholds,
which could mean they should be subject to the new EU rules on gatekeeper
platforms.

The Commission said it will take a decision on these notifications within 45
working days, i.e., by May 13 at the latest.



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