Apple 'Lashes Out' at EU, Calls Digital Markets Act a 'Hugely Onerous' Burden

Apple has launched its most significant legal challenge yet against the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), telling a court in Luxembourg that the sweeping tech regulations impose "hugely onerous and intrusive burdens" on the company, reports Bloomberg.

In a hearing on Tuesday, Apple's lawyer Daniel Beard said the DMA's obligations ignore the protection of property rights and issues of privacy and security, which are "vital to EU citizens." The statement brings Apple's public fight against the regulations into the courtroom, following a recent war of words where the company slammed the DMA for creating security risks, and the EU fired back, accusing Apple of contesting "every little bit" of the law.

The European Commission's lawyer, Paul-John Loewenthal, argued that Apple's "absolute control" over the iPhone has allowed it to generate "supernormal profits" while handicapping competitors. "Only Apple has the keys to that walled garden," Loewenthal told the court. "It decides who gets in and who can offer their products and services to iPhone users."


Apple's legal challenge targets the DMA on three main fronts. First, it argues that interoperability requirements forcing the iPhone to work with rival hardware, such as third-party smartwatches, could endanger user privacy and security. Apple has previously blamed these rules for its decision to delay some iOS 26 features in the region.

Second, the company is contesting the decision to regulate its App Store as a single service. This designation led to a €500 million fine earlier this year for alleged violations of the DMA's anti-steering rules, a penalty Apple is challenging separately. The company and the EU are reportedly in talks to settle the matter and avoid further fines.

Finally, Apple is challenging the EU's attempt to investigate whether its iMessage service should have been subject to the rules, arguing it does not directly generate revenue. Regulators ultimately decided not to designate iMessage under the DMA.

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