Apple loses German appeal, paving way for strict control

Core Viewpoint - Apple has lost an appeal in Germany, leading to potential stricter regulatory controls due to its classification as a company of "paramount significance for competition across markets" [2][3]. Regulatory Context - The Federal Court of Justice upheld the Federal Cartel Office's decision from 2023, which allows for closer surveillance of Apple for possible market abuse [2]. - This classification has also been applied to other major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet [2]. Company Position - The court noted that Apple is one of the largest and most profitable companies globally, possessing extraordinary financial and other resources [3]. - Apple disagrees with the ruling, asserting that it faces significant competition in the German market [3]. Regulatory Actions - The head of the Federal Cartel Office expressed satisfaction with the ruling, indicating that it strengthens their inquiry into Apple's app tracking rules [4]. - The regulator alleges that Apple provides users with fewer opportunities to consent to app tracking when using its services compared to third-party apps, which may give Apple an unfair competitive advantage [4].