Italy Probes Apple Over iCloud Interoperability and DMA Compliance

The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) launched an investigation into Apple Inc. on June 16, 2026, to determine if the company is violating the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). This is the first time the Italian regulator has exercised its preliminary investigation powers under the DMA.

The probe focuses on whether Apple provides third-party cloud storage providers with the same level of free and effective interoperability with iOS and iPadOS as its own iCloud service. Specifically, the AGCM alleges that Apple restricts rivals from accessing system-level hardware and software features that allow users to perform full device data backups, while maintaining those features for iCloud.

Apple Inc. stated that these specific concerns regarding iCloud were not raised during previous interoperability discussions with the European Union, though the company expressed willingness to engage with the Italian authority. The AGCM will forward its findings to the European Commission, which serves as the sole enforcer of the DMA. Depending on the outcome, the European Commission may impose significant fines or mandate that Apple increase the interoperability of its operating systems.