EU Court Upholds Apple Gatekeeper Status for 2 Core Services Under DMA
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Jul 8
EU Court Upholds Apple Gatekeeper Status for 2 Core Services Under DMA
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Jul 8
Summary
The EU General Court dismissed Apple’s challenge and confirmed its gatekeeper designation for the App Store and iOS under the Digital Markets Act.
Three rulings issued together also found Apple’s challenges over iMessage inadmissible, giving the European Commission an early courtroom win in testing the bloc’s Big Tech law.
The Luxembourg-based court’s decision reinforces the DMA’s use against platforms deemed to control critical digital bottlenecks and deepens Apple’s legal clash with Brussels.
The case marks one of the first major judicial checks of the DMA, a law the EU says is central to rebalancing power between large tech groups and the wider digital economy.
Will the EU's fight for app choice on iPhones ultimately make your personal data less secure?
Is the EU's war on Big Tech about fair markets or a protectionist move against American companies?
Can regulators force tech giants to open their AI systems without creating massive new security risks?
Apple’s Gatekeeper Designation Confirmed: Inside the 2026 EU Court Ruling and Its Impact on the Digital Markets Act
Overview
On July 8, 2026, the EU General Court confirmed Apple's designation as a 'gatekeeper' under the Digital Markets Act, rejecting Apple's arguments against treating its App Stores as a single service and iOS as a critical gateway. This ruling means Apple must comply with strict new rules, opening its ecosystem to more competition and giving users and developers more choices. The decision marks a turning point in digital regulation, as Apple now faces significant obligations and potential penalties, setting a strong precedent for how major tech platforms are regulated in Europe and beyond.