Apple Faces Italy DMA Probe Over Cloud Interoperability

Italy's competition authority (AGCM) has opened a formal investigation into Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL) under the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), alleging that the company restricts third-party cloud providers from accessing certain system features on iOS and iPadOS, potentially giving iCloud an unfair advantage.

Details of the Action

The probe focuses on whether Apple imposes technical or contractual limitations that prevent independent cloud providers from integrating deeply with the operating system, such as file syncing or app interoperability. The authority suspects these practices may create barriers to competition and limit user choice.

Company's Stance

Apple has not yet issued an official statement regarding the investigation. However, the company has previously defended its policies on privacy and security, arguing that some restrictions are necessary to protect user data.

Precedents and Context

This is the first DMA investigation launched by a national authority since the regulation took effect in March 2024. It is part of broader EU efforts to curb the dominance of big tech companies. Apple has faced previous EU fines related to its App Store practices.

Potential Financial Impact

If found in violation, Apple could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue, which was approximately $383 billion in 2025. The company may also be required to make operating system changes to ensure equal treatment of third-party services.