Apple’s iPadOS will soon face stricter rules in the EU under DMA

Apple now has six months to make iPadOS compliant with the EU’s Digital Markets Act

Today the EU has announced that they have designated Apple as a “gatekeeper” under their Digital Markets Act (DMA) for iPadOS. With this change, Apple now has six months to comply with the EU’s DMA obligations.

The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) was created to promote competition within what were previously closed ecosystems. Thanks to these rules, Apple needs to allow 3rd party app stores on their iOS platform. Soon, these rules will also apply to their iPad ecosystem.

For Apple users in the EU, this rule change means that Apple will soon be forced to allow competing app stores on both iPhone and iPad devices. This is great news for consumers. After all, this should enable the creation of a wider variety of applications on both platforms. Beyond that, there is also the potential of competing storefronts to offer customers more attractive prices than on Apple’s App Store.

Frankly, given the inter-operability of iOS and iPadOS, it makes sense for both platforms to fall under DMA rules. If 3rd party storefronts are possible on macOS and iOS, it makes little sense for iPad’s operating system to be left out.

Under DMA rules, iPhones and iPads will act more like traditional PCs. Software will be available from a variety of sources. Apps will no longer be exclusively available from Apple’s App Store.

Today is a bad day for Apple. Enabling 3rd party storefronts has the potential to dramatically lower their App Store revenue in the EU. Beyond that, it is also possible that Apple will face similar laws in other global regions. In that case, Apple’s profits could decrease massively.

You can join the discussion on Apple placing iOS under their Digital Markets Act rules on the OC3D Forums.