Apple has received a rare regulatory reprieve in Europe, as the European Commission ruled that two of its services—Apple Maps and Apple Ads—will not be classified as “gatekeepers” under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The decision, announced Thursday, marks a notable departure from the largely critical regulatory scrutiny Apple has faced in the region over the past year. According to the Commission, neither Apple Maps nor Apple Ads meets the threshold for gatekeeper designation, primarily because of their limited usage and market influence across Europe.
In a statement reported by Reuters, the Commission said it had concluded that the two services do not function as “important gateways” for businesses to reach consumers. Under the DMA, that designation is reserved for digital platforms with significant scale, entrenched market power, and a central role in connecting users and businesses.
Apple welcomed the ruling, emphasising the competitive landscape in which both services operate. The company said the Commission’s assessment correctly reflected market realities, noting that Apple Maps and Apple Ads face strong competition from established rivals across the region.
The outcome offers Apple a small but meaningful win amid ongoing tensions with EU regulators. Since the DMA came into force, Apple has been required to make substantial, region-specific changes to both iOS and the iPhone, including adjustments to app distribution, default services, and third-party access. Many of those changes have drawn criticism from regulators, developers, and competitors alike, with questions lingering over whether Apple’s compliance efforts go far enough.
While Apple Maps and Ads avoid additional regulatory obligations for now, Apple’s broader relationship with the EU remains complex. The company continues to adapt its platforms to meet DMA requirements, and further changes are already underway.
An upcoming iOS update—version 26.3—is expected to introduce new features and policy adjustments tailored for EU users as part of Apple’s ongoing compliance strategy.
For Apple, the Commission’s decision removes the immediate threat of stricter oversight for two services that, while important to the company’s ecosystem, have not achieved the same market dominance as its core platforms.
In a regulatory environment that has been largely unfavourable, the ruling stands out as a rare acknowledgement that not every Apple service warrants the DMA’s toughest classification.
