EU Declares Apple’s iPadOS as ‘Gatekeeper’ Under New Digital Markets Act: Impact on Canadian iPhone Users

Phones Canada is excited to share the latest news from the European Commission regarding Apple and iPadOS. The Commission has officially designated iPadOS as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the Digital Markets Act, giving Apple six months to ensure compliance with DMA regulations.

This decision follows a previous designation of Apple as a gatekeeper for iOS, Safari, and the App Store. Despite not initially meeting the thresholds, the Commission’s market investigation revealed that iPadOS plays a crucial role as a gateway for many companies to reach their customers.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, emphasized the importance of including iPadOS in the DMA obligations to maintain fairness and contestability on this platform. Apple will need to make changes to ensure compliance with the DMA requirements within the next six months.

In line with previous changes for iOS and the App Store in the EU, Apple may need to allow alternative distribution for apps and third-party payments on iPads as well. This development coincides with Apple’s upcoming iPad event on May 7 and WWDC in June, where we expect to see more updates on iPadOS 18 and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates as we follow this evolving story. Phones Canada is committed to keeping you informed about all things related to telecommunications and technology.