Apple's iMessage may have dodged a regulatory bullet by being too small... in Europe

Apple’s iMessage may have dodged a regulatory bullet by being too small… in Europe،

The EU has stepped up its efforts to regulate tech giants in a bid to allow competition to flourish. On the one hand, he investigated Apple (alongside other tech giants) for being a monopoly and worked on ways to limit its power. However, now Bloomberg Reports that it seems the EU tends to let iMessage off the hook.

The EU appears to find iMessage not so popular that it requires a regulatory leash

iMessage was among Apple services under investigation by the EU for anti-competitive practices. Other Apple services that are still under scrutiny include the App Store, Safari, and iOS in general. The investigation into iMessage continued for five months and EU watchdogs reportedly determined that the service should not be regulated for anti-competition reasons… well, because it is not quite important in Europe. iMessage is extremely popular in the United States, but in Europe it's not as popular. At least when it comes to professional users. However, information on the investigation is not yet official and comes from “people familiar with the matter”, sources who have remained anonymous. According to reports, European regulators seem to think that iMessage is not big enough in Europe and therefore cannot be considered a “significant gateway.” Apple, however, is far from being able to breathe a sigh of relief. The investigation will conclude in February 2024, providing ample time for a rapid change in direction. Additionally, other Apple services will not be allowed to circulate freely in the market. For example, the Digital Markets Act will force Apple to open iOS to competing app stores, something the company could actually do as early as next year.

These investigations and regulations may force big tech giants to make big changes to how their services operate within the EU, and could even have global effects. One of these regulations has already forced Apple to switch to USB-C charging ports instead of good old Lightning.