Italy Launches DMA Investigation Into Apple Over iCloud Backup

Italy's antitrust watchdog has launched a formal investigation into Apple over whether the company is complying with the European Union's Digital Markets Act requirements for interoperability between iOS, iPadOS, and third-party consumer cloud services.



The Italian Competition Authority is specifically examining whether Apple prevents alternative consumer cloud providers from competing on an equal footing with iCloud. Under the DMA, Apple must grant third-party services free and effective interoperability with the same hardware and software features available to its own platforms.


Regulators have indicated that third-party cloud providers may not have access to the same features used by or otherwise made available to iCloud. For example, Apple appears not to allow alternative cloud storage services to use the iOS and iPadOS functionality that enables users to perform full device backups. Currently, the ability to seamlessly back up an entire iPhone or iPad is a system-level feature reserved exclusively for iCloud, leaving competitors unable to offer a matching user experience.

This probe marks the first time the Italian agency has exercised its powers under the DMA to support the European Commission in a preliminary investigation. The regulatory body noted it launched the inquiry in close cooperation with the Commission and will share its findings to assist the EU's executive branch, which serves as the DMA's sole enforcer.

The investigation adds to a growing list of regulatory challenges Apple faces in Europe. The company has already made sweeping changes to its software ecosystem in the region, including plans to let EU users choose alternative casting protocols instead of AirPlay as part of its DMA compliance efforts. Concurrently, Apple recently confirmed it will delay the rollout of Siri AI in the EU, citing concerns that the DMA's strict interoperability mandates could ultimately compromise user privacy and device security.

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