Apple’s iPad has now been included in a list of major tech products and services affected by stringent new EU regulations designed to curb potential competitive abuses before they become entrenched.
As a result, Apple has six months to ensure its iPad ecosystem adheres to a series of proactive measures mandated by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law already applies to Apple’s iOS mobile operating system, the App Store, and the Safari browser, though Apple is contesting some of these designations in the EU’s General Court, with hearings scheduled for later this year.
Margrethe Vestager, EU competition commissioner, stated that extending the DMA to include the iPad will help maintain fairness and competition. She noted that while the iPad did not meet all the criteria for designation, an investigation revealed that “iPadOS serves as a crucial gateway for many companies to reach their customers.”
This development is a setback for Apple, based in Cupertino, California, as it will now need to adjust its operating system to comply with new rules. These changes will include permitting iPad users to install apps from outside Apple’s ecosystem and the ability to remove preloaded apps.
An Apple spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to serving European consumers while addressing the new privacy and data security challenges posed by the DMA.
The DMA targets the business models of six major tech companies recognized as digital “gatekeepers”: Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, and ByteDance, with new regulations intended to prevent these firms from exploiting their dominant positions.
