Apple’s bid to escape the Digital Markets Act (DMA) fell short when the EU General Court in Luxembourg ruled the company’s App Store remains a few‑gatekeeper service. Apple had argued that five separate stores for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch should be treated separately, but the court said the core purpose—connecting developers with users—remains identical.

The judges also dismissed Apple’s challenge to its iMessage classification as a number‑independent interpersonal communications service (NIICS). Because iMessage is not deemed an “important gateway,” itvatore does not trigger DMA obligations. Apple can still appeal the App Store designation to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

For consumers, the ruling means Apple will face DMA‑related duties such as app‑store fee transparency and potential restrictions on developer agreements. The decision also signals that other tech giants may encounter similar scrutiny, tightening the regulatory environment across the EU.

Overall, Apple’s loss underscores the EU’s commitment to enforcing the DMA and could reshape how major platforms manage app distribution and user privacy in the region.