This photograph shows a hand-held smartphone with the Apple company logo and the European Union logo in the background, in Brussels on September 9, 2024. (Photo: AFP)

The General Court of the European Union on Wednesday dismissed Apple's actions against the European Commission's designation of the company as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The court upheld the Commission's September 2023 decision designating Apple as a gatekeeper for the App Store and iOS, confirming the Commission's assessment that Apple's various App Store versions constitute a single core platform service.

The court found that, despite serving different Apple devices, the App Store versions share the same purpose of connecting app developers with end users, and therefore should be treated as one core platform service under the DMA.

The court also ruled that Apple's actions concerning its iMessage service were inadmissible.

The case stemmed from the Commission's decision on September 5, 2023, under the DMA, which designated Apple as a gatekeeper in relation to the App Store, iOS and the Safari web browser. Apple later challenged that decision before the General Court in relation to the App Store and iOS, as well as Commission decisions concerning iMessage.

Under the DMA, certain large digital companies providing core platform services may be designated as gatekeepers if they meet conditions related to their size and market influence. Gatekeepers are subject to specific obligations aimed at ensuring fair competition in digital markets.

Apple may appeal the ruling before the Court of Justice of the European Union within two months and ten days of notification, limited to points of law.