German Court Upholds Stricter Oversight of Apple’s Market Practices

The Federal Court of Justice has confirmed Apple’s 'overarching market significance,' enabling the Federal Cartel Office to enforce tougher competition rules.

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has upheld the Bundeskartellamt's 2023 classification of Apple as having 'overarching market significance.'
This ruling allows the Federal Cartel Office to impose stricter oversight and prohibit practices it deems harmful to competition.
Apple’s tracking rules for third-party apps, app pre-installation practices, and operating system restrictions are under ongoing investigation.
The decision is final and aligns with Germany’s 2021 Competition Act reform, which facilitates earlier intervention against large digital companies.
Apple criticized the ruling, stating it faces strong competition in Germany and prioritizes user privacy and security in its business model.