Apple Faces Stricter Antitrust Oversight in Germany

Apple has lost its appeal at Germany's Federal Court of Justice, which upheld a regulatory ruling designating the company as a 'company of paramount cross-market significance for competition.' This classification allows antitrust regulators greater scrutiny of Apple's business practices, aligning it with other tech giants like Google and Meta that face increased oversight. The court's decision reflects a global trend towards stricter regulations for Big Tech, particularly following the enactment of the European Commission's Digital Markets Act. Apple expressed disagreement with the ruling, arguing it overlooks the importance of its privacy-centric business model. Additionally, the German antitrust authority has raised concerns about Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature, suggesting it may violate antitrust policies. This ruling signifies a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for tech companies operating in Germany and Europe more broadly.