BRUSSELS, Feb. 5 (GeokHub) — The European Commission said on Thursday that Apple’s Maps and Ads services will not be designated as gatekeepers under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), citing their relatively low usage and limited market influence across the bloc.
In a statement, the Commission said Apple does not meet the criteria for gatekeeper status for the two services because they do not serve as “important gateways” for business users seeking to reach end users in the European market.
“The Commission has concluded that Apple does not qualify as a gatekeeper in relation to Apple Ads and Apple Maps,” the EU executive said.
Apple welcomed the decision, saying the ruling reflects the competitive landscape in Europe.
“These services face significant competition in Europe, and we’re pleased the Commission recognized they do not meet the criteria for designation under the Digital Markets Act,” the company said.
The DMA is one of the world’s most far-reaching regulatory frameworks aimed at curbing the power of large technology companies. It seeks to prevent dominant digital platforms from abusing their market position and to make it easier for users and businesses to switch between competing services, including app stores, search engines, browsers and social media platforms.
Companies designated as gatekeepers under the DMA are subject to strict obligations, including limits on self-preferencing, tighter data-use rules and requirements to allow interoperability with rival services. Violations can result in fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
