EU Regulators Scrutinize Apple's Potential Gatekeeper Status

European antitrust regulators are investigating whether Apple's Apple Ads and Apple Maps should be classified as 'gatekeepers' under the Digital Markets Act. This classification would subject Apple to stricter regulations, with Apple contesting that both services do not meet the criteria for such designation.

European regulators are focusing their attention on Apple as the tech giant's Apple Ads and Apple Maps come under scrutiny. This follows Apple's notification to the European Commission that both services hit the necessary thresholds for consideration under the stringent guidelines of the Digital Markets Act.

The Act, which seeks to curb the dominance of large tech firms, designates services with over 45 million monthly users and a market capitalization exceeding 75 billion euros as 'gatekeepers'. Once identified, these platforms are subjected to a set of rigorous regulations designed to foster competition and provide consumers with more choices.

Apple has argued that its advertising and mapping services should not be classified in this manner, highlighting minimal market influence compared to competitors. The company is challenging the designation with official rebuttals submitted to European competition authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)