Italy’s competition authority has opened an investigation into Apple for allegedly failing to open up its iOS and iPadOS ecosystems to rival cloud services, as required by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. The watchdog said third-party providers appear unable to access the same system components as Apple’s own iCloud, marking the first such probe by the Italian regulator under the new interoperability rules.
Reuters:
Under the [DMA] rules, Apple must ensure that third-party providers of consumer cloud services can inter-operate effectively and free of charge with hardware and software components controlled through the group’s iOS and iPadOS operating systems, and have equal access as Apple’s iCloud service.
The authority said in the statement that it had proof that other providers of consumer cloud services could not be in the same position as iCloud, as they did not appear to have access to the same components used or made available to Apple’s service.
The probe is the first opened by the Italian watchdog under the Digital Markets Act, which allows national regulators to conduct preliminary investigations.
The authority said the results of its investigation would be sent to the EU Commission.
MacDailyNews Take: Another day, another EU-style regulatory shakedown. Once again, Apple finds itself in the crosshairs of European bureaucrats who seem determined to punish success and micromanage innovation.
The EU’s shiteous DMA — that sweeping, heavy-handed piece of legislation designed to kneecap so-called “gatekeepers” like Apple — demands that Apple essentially open up its tightly integrated ecosystem to competitors, free of charge and on equal terms. The Italian watchdog says it has “proof” that rivals can’t match iCloud’s position. Of course they can’t. That’s because iCloud is built from the ground up as a seamless, private, secure extension of Apple’s hardware and software. It’s not some bolted-on service; it’s part of what makes an iPhone an iPhone.
Apple’s approach has always been about delivering the best possible experience for its users: effortless syncing, end-to-end encryption by default, optimized performance across devices, and rock-solid privacy protections that competitors often treat as afterthoughts. Forcing Apple to hand over the same low-level access to third-party cloud services risks compromising exactly what customers love and pay a premium for — security, reliability, and simplicity.
This isn’t “anticompetitive” behavior; it’s Apple competing on the merits. The company invests billions in its infrastructure, develops proprietary technologies, and maintains strict standards to protect users from very real threats. Lowering those walls to satisfy regulators and rival cloud providers doesn’t create fair competition — it invites mediocrity and security risks into a platform renowned for excellence. Why should Apple be compelled to undermine its own product to prop up alternatives that users have already voted against with their wallets?
Italy’s probe is the first under the DMA by its national regulator, with findings to be forwarded to the European Commission. It fits a familiar pattern: endless investigations, demands for “interoperability,” and penalties aimed at Apple’s success in delivering premium products people actually want. The EU (and now Italy) would rather engineer artificial parity than let the market reward innovation.
The real question regulators should ask: If third-party clouds are so great, why aren’t more users flocking to them voluntarily? Forcing integration won’t change the answer — it will only make great products worse – and very likely insecure – for everyone.
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