Arrr, me hearties! Apple's iMessage be swashbucklin' through the treacherous waters of EU regulations, leavin' Google with a scurvy grumble!
2024-02-13
Arrr! Apple be crafty, me hearties! They be slippin' past the gaze of the Digital Markets Act with their clever messaging app. But alas, they be caught in the clutches of iOS! Walk the plank, ye scurvy scallywags!
Apple, Microsoft, and Google have been affected by the European Commission's decision regarding the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The commission concluded that Apple's iMessage, Microsoft's Bing, and Edge browser will not be subject to the new regulations as they do not hold enough market share. Apple and Microsoft welcomed the decision, as it means they can continue operating without interference. However, Google is not pleased with the ruling, arguing that it limits consumer choice on more open platforms. Google and other tech giants had hoped for stronger regulations from the EU. Apple has previously announced that it will support RCS messages from Android phones in 2024, which may have influenced the decision in its favor. The Coalition for Open Digital Ecosystems (CODE), a group that includes Google, expressed disappointment with the ruling. The DMA aims to ensure fair and open digital markets by regulating large online platforms. It requires interoperability, free access to data, and various other stipulations. The ruling means that iMessage, Bing, and Edge are not considered gatekeepers and are exempt from the regulations. Apple and Microsoft's operating systems, however, will still face significant changes. In the US, there is the possibility of similar regulations being passed, and rival browser makers are also pressuring Apple for more openness.In conclusion, Apple's iMessage, Microsoft's Bing, and Edge have been exempted from the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations due to their lack of market dominance. This decision has been welcomed by Apple and Microsoft but criticized by Google. The DMA aims to ensure fair and open digital markets by regulating large online platforms. It requires interoperability, free access to data, and other stipulations. However, iMessage, Bing, and Edge have been deemed not to meet the criteria of gatekeepers and are therefore exempt from these regulations. Apple and Microsoft's operating systems, on the other hand, will still be subject to significant changes. The possibility of similar regulations being passed in the US is also a concern for iMessage. Additionally, rival browser makers are pressuring Apple for more openness. Overall, this decision has implications for the competition and consumer choice within the digital market, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the industry going forward.