Overview
- The European Commission said on February 5 that Apple Maps and Apple Ads will not be designated as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act.
- The decision spares both services from DMA interoperability and conduct obligations that govern Apple’s App Store, iOS, and Safari.
- Regulators pointed to relatively low use of Apple Maps in the EU versus Google Maps and Waze, and a very small footprint for Apple’s ad business in a market led by Meta and Google.
- Apple welcomed the outcome, stating the services face significant competition in Europe and do not meet DMA designation criteria.
- The Commission will continue monitoring these markets and could revisit the decision if their reach grows, following an investigation that began after Apple’s November 27, 2025 notification.