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The next significant step would be opening up iMessage and I'm pretty sure that Apple already has implemented most of it. Otherwise, they cannot realistically f

The next significant step would be opening up iMessage and I'm pretty sure that Apple already has implemented most of it. Otherwise, they cannot realistically follow the DMA timeline in the worst case where EU designate iMessage as a gatekeeper.

progbits 3y ago
Yeah this sounds like they consider that outcome is at least possible, if not outright expecting it.
turquoisevar 3y ago
That's never going to happen for two main reasons. The first one is that, despite the EU’s blatant attempt to carve the rules around the likes of Apple while simultaneously trying to shield EU companies, they've overestimated the amount of iMessage users, excluding iMessage from the DMA rules. The other one, which is more important in this discussion, is that the EU kept the definitions of services rather broad to the degree that Apple’s adoption of RCS will automatically fulfill the interoperability requirement.
- summerlight 3y ago
  > That's never going to happen for two main reasons. I wouldn't say "never". DMA is inherently political at its heart and designed to target US big techs precisely. Apple is not immune and EU gave the regulation board enough flexibility to target all of US big techs. Apple knows this and they decided to support RCS for this exact reason to gain public supports. > The other one, which is more important in this discussion, is that the EU kept the definitions of services rather broad to the degree that Apple’s adoption of RCS will automatically fulfill the interoperability requirement. EU already has defined iMessage as a separate core platform service from iOS and Apple hasn't argued against it because it would give them a chance to exclude iMessage from the scope of the regulation. Hence, OS level support for RCS won't cover iMessage if it's also designated as a gatekeeper.
- stale2002 3y ago
  Apple wouldn't need to be blatantly targeted if they hadn't been engaging in significant anti consumer practices for years.
tomjen3 3y ago
iMessage is not really a gatekeeper in the EU, because the number of friend groups that are close enough to iPhone exclusive isn't that big. Instead we use any combination of Whatchapp, FB messenger, Snapchat and Signal.

progbits 3y ago

Yeah this sounds like they consider that outcome is at least possible, if not outright expecting it.

turquoisevar 3y ago

That's never going to happen for two main reasons. The first one is that, despite the EU’s blatant attempt to carve the rules around the likes of Apple while simultaneously trying to shield EU companies, they've overestimated the amount of iMessage users, excluding iMessage from the DMA rules. The other one, which is more important in this discussion, is that the EU kept the definitions of services rather broad to the degree that Apple’s adoption of RCS will automatically fulfill the interoperability requirement.

summerlight 3y ago
> That's never going to happen for two main reasons. I wouldn't say "never". DMA is inherently political at its heart and designed to target US big techs precisely. Apple is not immune and EU gave the regulation board enough flexibility to target all of US big techs. Apple knows this and they decided to support RCS for this exact reason to gain public supports. > The other one, which is more important in this discussion, is that the EU kept the definitions of services rather broad to the degree that Apple’s adoption of RCS will automatically fulfill the interoperability requirement. EU already has defined iMessage as a separate core platform service from iOS and Apple hasn't argued against it because it would give them a chance to exclude iMessage from the scope of the regulation. Hence, OS level support for RCS won't cover iMessage if it's also designated as a gatekeeper.
stale2002 3y ago
Apple wouldn't need to be blatantly targeted if they hadn't been engaging in significant anti consumer practices for years.

tomjen3 3y ago

iMessage is not really a gatekeeper in the EU, because the number of friend groups that are close enough to iPhone exclusive isn't that big. Instead we use any combination of Whatchapp, FB messenger, Snapchat and Signal.