Overview
- Apple notified the European Commission that Apple Maps and Apple Ads meet the Digital Markets Act thresholds for potential gatekeeper designation.
- The DMA presumes gatekeeper status for services surpassing 45 million monthly EU users alongside major market value, triggering stricter pro‑competition rules.
- Apple submitted formal rebuttals arguing Maps has very limited EU usage and Apple Ads holds only a minimal share versus rivals, contesting that either service acts as a dominant intermediary.
- If designated, the services would face obligations such as expanded interoperability, limits on cross‑service data combining without explicit consent, and access for independent advertising measurement and verification.
- Apple’s App Store, iOS and Safari are already designated under the DMA, and the Commission’s decision on Maps and Ads will determine whether similar rules extend to those services.