"EU Grants Apple and Microsoft Exemptions for iMessage and Bing from Tough Competition Rules"

Apple and Microsoft have successfully secured exemptions for their iMessage and Bing search engine from the new EU Digital Markets Act, which aims to regulate tech giants and prevent them from favoring their own services over rivals. The European Commission found that iMessage, Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising did not qualify as gatekeeper services, while Apple's App Store, iOS operating system, and Safari browser, as well as Microsoft's Linkedin social network and Windows operating system, will continue to be classified as gatekeepers. The decision has sparked disagreement, with some arguing that it undermines the objectives of the DMA, while others see it as a sign of the Commission considering market realities and avoiding over-regulation.