Apple iMessage set to avoid EU's crackdown on digital dominance

Apple Inc.'s iMessage service looks set to win a carve out from new European Union antitrust rules to rein in Big Tech platforms after watchdogs tentatively concluded that it isn't popular enough with business users to warrant being hit by the regulation.

European Commission officials are leaning toward the reprieve for Apple as part of a five-month market investigation which concludes in February, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

If designated under the Digital Markets Act, the company would have faced potentially onerous obligations to make iMessage work with rival online messaging services, such as Meta Platforms Inc.'s WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger a move that Apple has strongly contested.


The Brussels-based commission declined to comment. An Apple spokesperson didn't immediately respond to questions from Bloomberg on the EU plans.