The latest technology legislation from the EU includes exemptions for services like Apple's iMessage and Microsoft's Bing.

European Union antitrust regulators announced on Tuesday that Apple's iMessage and Microsoft's Bing search engine will not be subject to the new EU technology regulations. This decision follows the acceptance of arguments presented by these companies, which asserted that these services do not serve as primary gateways for reaching end-users. The upcoming Digital Markets Act is scheduled to come into effect in three weeks, imposing various obligations on major tech players such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), and ByteDance. Among these requirements is the mandate for these companies to permit third-party apps or app stores on their platforms and facilitate easier switching between default apps and competitors for users. Additionally, the act prohibits these companies from showing favoritism towards their own services.

After conducting a thorough five-month investigation, the European Commission determined that iMessage, Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising do not meet the criteria to be classified as gatekeeper services. However, the Commission specified that certain other services such as Apple's App Store, iOS operating system, Safari browser, Microsoft's LinkedIn social network, and Windows operating system will continue to be classified as gatekeepers.

The Commission emphasized that its decision was made following a comprehensive assessment of all arguments, including input from relevant stakeholders. However, it did not provide specific details regarding the arguments presented by the companies.

Both Apple and Microsoft welcomed the Commission's decision. Apple's spokesperson highlighted the availability of various messaging apps for consumers and emphasized the ease of switching between them. Microsoft's spokesperson reiterated that Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising operate as competitors in the market and pledged to collaborate with the Commission and the industry to ensure compliance with the Digital Markets Act for Microsoft's other designated platforms.