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European Commission Says Apple Maps and Ads Fall Outside EU Gatekeeper Rules

By  |  February 5, 2026

The European Commission said on Thursday that Apple’s Maps and Ads services will not be classified as gatekeepers under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, pointing to their limited reach and influence within the bloc, according to Reuters.

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    In a statement, the Commission said it had determined that Apple does not meet the legal threshold for gatekeeper status with respect to the two services. “The Commission has concluded that Apple does not qualify as a gatekeeper in relation to Apple Ads and Apple Maps, as neither of these platform services constitute an important gateway for business users to reach end users,” it said.

    The decision follows an assessment of Apple’s submissions to regulators and reflects findings that Apple Maps has a relatively low usage rate across the EU, while Apple Ads represents only a small presence in the European online advertising market, per Reuters.

    Apple welcomed the outcome. “These services face significant competition in Europe, and we’re pleased the Commission recognized they do not meet the criteria for designation under the Digital Markets Act,” the company said in a statement, according to Reuters.

    Related: EU Weighs Extending Digital Rules to Apple Maps and Ads

    The Digital Markets Act is one of the world’s toughest regulatory frameworks targeting large technology companies. It aims to limit the market power of dominant digital platforms and promote competition by making it easier for consumers and businesses to switch between services such as social media platforms, web browsers, and app stores.

    Despite the ruling on Maps and Ads, the Commission emphasized that it will continue to keep a close watch on how these services evolve. It said it may revisit the decision if there are significant changes in their market position or usage, according Reuters.

    The Commission also clarified that the decision does not alter Apple’s existing designation as a gatekeeper for other core platform services. Apple was previously designated as a gatekeeper in September 2023 and April 2024 under the DMA for different parts of its business.

    A non-confidential version of the decision will be published on the Commission’s Digital Markets Act website, per Reuters.

    Source: Reuters