Apple Saved from Gatekeeper Status, Ads and Maps Not Subject to EU's Strict Digital Rules

Apple has avoided additional obligations that are usually imposed on gatekeeper status companies (photo: x @LeParisienMatin )

JAKARTA - Good news came for Apple from the European Union. The European Commission has decided that Apple Maps and Apple Ads services will not be designated as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules, the EU's most stringent digital law to curb the dominance of technology giants.

Citing a Reuters report, Thursday, February 5, the European Commission assessed that both services had a relatively low usage rate and limited market impact in the European region.

"The Commission concludes that Apple does not qualify as a gatekeeper in relation to Apple Ads and Apple Maps, as both of these platform services do not constitute an important gateway for businesses to reach end users," the European Commission said in an official statement.

This decision exempts Apple from additional obligations that are usually imposed on gatekeeper status companies, such as restrictions on certain business practices and obligations to open wider access for competitors.

"These services face significant competition in Europe, and we're pleased the Commission has acknowledged that Apple Ads and Apple Maps do not meet the designation criteria under the Digital Markets Act," Apple said in a statement.

The Digital Markets Act itself is one of the most ambitious regulations in the world in regulating large technology companies. This rule is designed to limit the market power of digital giant companies and make it easier for users to switch between competing services, ranging from social media, web browsers, to app stores.

So far, the DMA has designated a number of core services of large technology companies as gatekeepers, which means they must comply with strict rules regarding interoperability, transparency, and business competition.

With the exclusion of Apple Maps and Apple Ads from the list, Apple has more leeway in Europe to develop both services, at least for now.

However, supervision of large technology companies in the EU remains tight. European authorities have stressed that an evaluation can be carried out again if a service experiences significant growth and begins to be considered as having a major influence on the digital market in the region.