Title: Google and Carriers Urge EU to Regulate Apple’s iMessage under New Digital Markets Act
In a significant move aimed at targeting Big Tech companies, Google and several cell carriers have joined forces to request that Apple’s iMessage be designated as a “core” service under the European Union’s (EU) new “Digital Markets Act.” This act is designed to regulate tech industry gatekeepers such as Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft, and includes demands for interoperability, fairness, and privacy.
Currently, iMessage is undergoing a “market investigation” to determine whether it qualifies for regulation. The EU’s criteria for gatekeeper services are primarily based on business usage, including factors such as user and business numbers, turnover, and market capitalization. As of now, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger dominate the messaging scene in the EU.
In a joint letter to the European Commission, Google and carriers Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, and Orange argue that iMessage should be regulated. Their main argument centers around the fact that iMessage holds a significant cultural influence in the United States and is used extensively by teenagers. They also suggest that Google may be leveraging the EU’s regulatory stance to pressure Apple into opening up iMessage in the US.
Apple counters these claims by stating that iMessage is primarily designed for personal consumer communications and that it is not a dominant messaging service on a global scale. The company argues that iMessage’s size and reach are not comparable to other gatekeeper platforms.
The EU’s decision regarding the regulation of iMessage is expected by February 2024. If the service is deemed necessary to be regulated, Apple will be required to comply by August of that year.
The outcome of this investigation will not only have ramifications for Apple’s messaging service but also for the future of tech industry gatekeepers. With Google’s continued attempts to challenge iMessage with its own messaging apps, this regulatory push could potentially level the playing field in the messaging landscape.
As the EU takes steps to ensure fairness and privacy in the digital market, the fate of iMessage hangs in the balance. The decision could reshape the messaging ecosystem and have far-reaching implications for both Apple and its competitors.
