The European Union continues to take measures against the efforts of both Apple and Google to deny space to their competitors. Most recently, the EU enacted the DMA, or Digital Markets Act. In this sense, Apple’s app market App Store and browser Safari have been obliged to allow alternatives. Apple will start supporting browser and app store alternatives with iOS 17.4. However, it has been revealed that the DMA rules set by the EU will not apply to Apple’s iPhone message app iMessage.
Why won’t the EU DMA rule apply to iPhone iMessage?
Apple’s iMessage, which was once only used for messaging between iPhones, has been exempted from EU DMA rules. But how did the popular messaging app get exempt from these restrictions? According to the details, iMessage is heavily used in the US and North America.
In the European Union, iPhone users prefer to use WhatsApp and Telegram. The fact that iMessage is not popular enough, especially in EU countries, allowed the app to be exempt from these rules.
However, there is a possibility that Apple will include iMessage alternatives with iOS 17.4. The main reason for this is that it will become clear today whether the app will be subject to EU rules. The messaging app, which was once used by iPhone users, has long been available on Android, which means it also supports regular SMS. If an Android user sends a message to an iPhone user, it reaches the other party with a green chat bubble.
Again, if an iPhone user uses an SMS service instead of iMessage, this also goes to the other party with a green bubble. Google has long criticized Apple’s color distinction. Apple, on the other hand, says that the distinction is to protect users because the iMessage app has different encryption.
The European Union is trying to prevent monopolization within the borders of the union with the DMA. For this reason, Apple had to set aside rules such as installing apps outside the app market. However, it is important to know that these strict practices will continue outside the EU.
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