Brussels, Belgium – European regulators have issued a deadline for tech giant Apple to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regarding its iPad operating system for tablets. The European Commission announced that Apple has six months to bring its iPad up to code and operate in accordance with the DMA regulations.
Designated as a “gatekeeper” under the DMA, Apple has been identified as having a strong economic position in the market, a significant impact on the internal market, and operating across multiple EU countries. This designation was initially given to Apple in September due to its iOS system, Safari browser, and App Store.
The commission’s investigation found that Apple’s iPadOS meets the qualifications to be considered a gatekeeper for several reasons. The number of business users utilizing the iPad surpasses the quantitative threshold significantly, while the number of end users is approaching the threshold and expected to increase in the coming years.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that end users are “locked in” to the iPad operating system, as Apple uses its extensive ecosystem to discourage users from switching to other tablet operating systems. Business users are similarly connected to iPadOS due to its large user base and significance for features like gaming apps.
The DMA aims to enhance consumer choice, foster innovation, and protect user privacy. Mark Beresford, head of the retailer payments practice at Edgar Dunn & Company in London, believes that the DMA will open the market to more retail payment methods and promote interoperability among them.
Anticipated changes include an increase in face-to-face contactless payments and transactions facilitated by third-party banking or wallet apps. Overall, the European regulators are pushing for Apple to align its iPad with the DMA guidelines within the specified timeframe to ensure fair and open digital markets in the region.