The EU General Court upheld multiple Apple appeals against DMA rules, confirming Apple’s gatekeeper status related to its App Store and iOS, while clarifying the two-stage designation framework that precedes obligations and allows for judicial review only after an obligation attaches.

Apple argued that iMessage should not be treated as a number-independent interpersonal communications service and contested the designation of its hardware/software ecosystems under the DMA.

Apple contended in December 2025 that the DMA unlawfully requires sharing sensitive user data with rivals, raising security, privacy, and property-right concerns.

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The court reiterated that i) designation happens first, followed by obligations, and ii) judicial review is available only once an obligation attaches.

Interoperability obligations under the DMA remain undecided, with a separate ruling still pending that could compel product interoperability with rivals.

The ruling has geopolitical implications, signaling Brussels’ pushback against American tech dominance and shaping the regulatory climate for dominant platforms in the EU.

Reuters reported the ruling and MacRumors summarized it, reflecting ongoing EU scrutiny of major platforms under DMA rules.

If alternative distribution channels emerge, EU crypto app developers could face lower costs and broader distribution, impacting competition in the crypto app ecosystem.

The NIICS label can be reconsidered only via future Commission designation or implementing measures, and DMA and EECC regimes operate independently for regulators.

Two other EU cases remain unresolved: a challenge to open iOS to third-party developers and an appeal over a €500 million anti-steering fine.

The decision aligns with the Commission’s broader DMA enforcement trend, echoing recent wins against challenges from TikTok and Meta, while noting TikTok’s ongoing challenge to a 2024 lower-court ruling.