Google calls on EU to force Apple to 'open up' iMessage

According to ZDnet , Google recently put pressure on Apple to open iMessage with a letter to European regulators. Along with the participation of CEOs from major telecommunications companies in Europe, a senior vice president of Google signed the letter stating that Apple's iMessage should be regulated as a platform service under the Digital Market Act (DMA) of the European Union (EU).

The DMA regulates companies that provide widely used services that are considered essential to the digital economy . One of the goals of the DMA is to promote fair competition and prevent tech giants from abusing their market power. These services include social networks, search engines, operating systems, cloud computing, advertising services, and messaging.

The letter, signed by tech leaders from Google, Orange, Vodafone, Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom, argues that Apple's iMessage meets the DMA's criteria for core platform services, has at least 10,000 monthly active users in the EU and is operated by a company with an annual turnover of over €7.5 billion.

Designating itself as a platform service under the DMA would subject Apple to specific obligations to ensure fair and competitive markets, or face fines in the EU. These obligations could include opening up some features currently only available to iOS users to Android users, making iMessage interoperable with other messaging services, and adopting Rich Communication Services (RCS).

Google takes the lead in forcing Apple to open up iMessage

Android users have long wanted Apple to support RCS, a cross-platform communication protocol that is poised to replace SMS. RCS offers features commonly found in messaging apps, such as typing alerts, read receipts, high-resolution photo and video sharing, and group messaging. Supported by carriers and manufacturers, RCS is built into the smartphone's native messaging app.

Meanwhile, Apple's iMessage only supports read receipts, typing, group messaging, and sharing high-resolution photos/videos, but only within the iOS ecosystem, not RCS. Text messaging between Android and iOS is done via SMS and is not like iMessage. iMessage text bubbles are blue in iOS and green when iOS to Android. Additionally, photos and videos shared from iOS to Android and vice versa are sent in low quality because Apple does not support RCS.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/google-keu-goi-eu-buoc-apple-mo-cua-imessage-185231110145628021.htm