In September 2023, the European Commission opened an investigation to determine if Apple’s iMessage qualifies as a Core Platform Service. Today, the agency has concluded that the messaging platform doesn’t qualify as one. It means that Apple will not have to open iMessage to other messaging platforms, such as Messenger and WhatsApp. This is a huge win for the Cupertino-based tech giant and it allows the company to continue keeping users locked into its ecosystem of products and services.
Along with it, the European Commission has also concluded that Microsoft Bing, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Advertising don’t qualify as Core Platform Services, which means that Microsoft will not have to open those products and services to their competitors.
While Apple has won this race, the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is forcing Apple to make many changes to iOS, Safari for iOS, and the App Store in the European Union, including allowing developers to use their own browser engines for web browsers. The Cupertino-based tech giant has also announced that it will allow cloud gaming apps on the App Store.
