Apple Argues iMessage Isn't Popular Enough in the EU to Be Regulated

Apple argues that iMessage is not sufficiently popular to be classified as a "gatekeeper" under EU law, the Financial Times reports.

General Apps Messages
The discussion comes ahead of the publication of the first list of services to be regulated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The legislation introduces new rules that apply to tech giants that meet its "gatekeeper" criteria and force them to open up their various services and platforms to other companies and developers. For example, Apple could be forced to allow third-party companies and rival apps like Meta's WhatsApp to integrate directly with iMessage.

In recent correspondence with the European Commission, Apple argued that iMessage does not meet the number of users at which the DMA's rules apply, and should not be obliged to comply with it as a result. Analysts estimate that iMessage has as many as one billion users around the world, but Apple has not disclosed any official numbers about the service for several years, or how many users it has in Europe specifically. Whether iMessage will be included on the EU's initial list of gatekeeper services will depend on how it defines the market in which it operates.

The DMA could prompt similar major changes to the way in which the App Store, FaceTime, and Siri work over the next couple of years. Apple is expected to add support for sideloading apps from outside the ‌App Store‌ on iPhones and iPads in Europe via an update to iOS 17 due to the DMA's requirements.

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Top Rated Comments

krspkbl Avatar
24 months ago
Most people look at me like I'm an idiot when I say they can just message me through iMessage instead of WhatsApp. I'm in the UK by the way.

It's got to the point I give up and just installed WhatsApp. I hate Meta but it's less hassle. I like iMessage but now I've been using WhatsApp I can see why it's prefered. WhatsApp is by far the better communication platform.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nerdAFK Avatar
24 months ago
1. Marketing department touts iMessage to the WHOLE world with big words every year in various occasions.
2. Please don't regulate me because I'm not popular enough in your region.

You can't have it both ways.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3530025 Avatar
24 months ago
That's true. WhatsApp all the way over here.

Many US readers don't understand how small share iPhone (and Apple products in general) has in the Europe compared to the US. Wast majority owns Android over here.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nicolas_s Avatar
24 months ago

That's true. WhatsApp all the way over here.

Many US readers don't understand how small share iPhone (and Apple products in general) has in the Europe compared to the US. Wast majority owns Android over here.
Europeans: Apple isn't a thing here, and iMessage is barely used. We all use Android.
Also Europeans: ApPlE mOnOpOlIsTiC bEhAvIoR
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3530025 Avatar
24 months ago

Leave it up to EU to regulate out innovation. How many innovative tech companies does the EU have? Want to know why? Look at their regulations.

Since the EU can't compete on innovative tech companies, they're forced to regulate tech companies from other countries.
Are you for real? Plenty of European innovative tech companies. Your comment seems to be typical American view - we have all and others do not have anything. That's really out of reality. Did you travel to the Europe at least once?

Some source to back-up my claim https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-most-innovative-companies-europe-201200980.html?guccounter=1
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-10-most-innovative-European-companies
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cromulent Avatar
24 months ago
I'm English and I've never used iMessage. Everyone uses WhatsApp here.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)