EU Probes Apple's iPadOS Compliance with DMA Regulations: Is Apple Doing Enough to Meet the Demands?

The clock has officially run out for Apple. After being designated as a “gatekeeper” platform by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) in April, Apple was given a six-month window to open up iPadOS to competition and comply with key regulations. That deadline expired on October 28, and now the European Commission is assessing whether Apple has truly met the requirements.

In a bold move, Apple had pledged to allow third-party app stores on iPadOS, mirroring the changes it made for iOS. But for the EU, compliance goes beyond just app stores. Under the DMA, Apple must also permit users to choose their default web browser, and let headphones and smart pens access core iPadOS features—opening up the platform in ways it had long resisted.

A Moment of Reckoning for iPadOS

The EU’s antitrust watchdog stated that it will “carefully assess” if Apple’s actions for iPadOS align with DMA obligations, calling for input from various stakeholders to get a full picture of the impact. This scrutiny underscores the high stakes at play: failure to comply could result in fines up to 10% of Apple’s global annual turnover, which would translate to billions in penalties for the tech giant.

This marks a turning point in the EU’s commitment to dismantle the “walled gardens” that gatekeeper platforms have long maintained. For Apple, this means navigating uncharted territory and finding ways to open iPadOS without compromising its ecosystem.

As the EU now digs deep into Apple’s concessions, the tech world watches closely. With billions on the line and the future of platform openness hanging in the balance, the outcome of this assessment could reshape not only Apple’s approach but also the entire industry’s stance on user choice and platform accessibility in Europe.