EU Designates iPadOS a “Key Gatekeeper Technology,” Imposing Tough Regulations on Apple

Apple’s iPad operating system, now officially classified as a “key gatekeeper technology” under EU competition law by the European Commission, will face stricter regulation. This designation puts Apple in line with other digital platforms controlled by tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft that are subject to similar rules. The new obligations require iPadOS not to restrict third-party companies from accessing Apple services or give preferential treatment to its own offerings compared to competitors’. Violations can result in fines of up to 10% of a company’s global annual revenue, potentially leading to tens of billions of dollars for Apple. The European Commission launched an investigation into iPadOS last fall and has given the tech giant six months to meet these new obligations. Margrethe Vestager, Europe’s top competition official, stated that while iPadOS didn’t reach qualifying thresholds for gatekeeper status, “iPadOS constitutes a key gateway on which many companies rely.” Apple expressed commitment towards compliance with the Digital Markets Act and continued focus on delivering high-quality products to its European customers. The move is an addition to EU regulatory oversight over iOS and app stores as well as Safari browser already in place for Apple’s business operations.