EU Court Rejects Apple's Appeal, Upholds Strict Digital Markets Act Rules

Apple's App Store and iOS will remain under strict EU regulations after the General Court of the European Union dismissed the tech giant's appeal against their designation as 'gatekeepers' under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The ruling, issued on July 8, 2026, confirms that Apple must comply with obligations to open its ecosystem to competitors, including enabling alternative app stores and improving interoperability with rival devices and services Source: portafolioco.

What the ruling means

The court rejected Apple's argument that different versions of the App Store (for iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.) should be treated separately, stating they constitute a single platform service Source: infobae. As a result, Apple must allow users to access third-party app stores and payment systems, and grant developers more freedom in how they receive payments. The court also declared inadmissible Apple's challenges regarding iMessage, which the European Commission had previously exempted from strict DMA rules Source: euronewses.

Apple's reaction

Apple criticized the ruling, arguing that the DMA "goes beyond what is legal and proportionate" and threatens user privacy and security Source: euronewses. The company vowed to continue defending innovation and privacy for its European customers. Notably, Apple has a separate pending appeal specifically on interoperability requirements, which could further shape the implementation of the DMA Source: euronewses.