Google is calling on the EU to force Apple to 'open up' iMessage.

According to ZDnet , Google recently pressured Apple to open up iMessage again by sending a letter to European regulators. Along with the participation of CEOs from major European telecommunications companies, a senior Google vice president signed the letter stating that Apple's iMessage should be regulated as a platform service under the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA (Direct Marketing Authorisation Act) monitors companies that provide widely used services considered essential to the digital economy . One of the DMA's purposes 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 technology leaders from Google, Orange, Vodafone, Telefonica, and Deutsche Telekom, demonstrates that Apple's iMessage meets the criteria of the DMA Act for core platform services, having at least 10,000 monthly active users in the EU and being operated by a company with annual revenue exceeding €7.5 billion.

Being recognized as a platform service of DMA would require Apple to comply with specific obligations to ensure a fair and competitive market, or face fines in the EU. These obligations could include opening up certain features currently only available to iOS users to Android users, enabling iMessage to interact with other messaging services, and implementing the RCS (Regular Communication Services) model.

Google is leading the charge in pressuring Apple to open up its iMessage app.

Android users have long hoped Apple would support RCS, a cross-platform communication protocol poised to replace SMS. RCS offers features commonly found in messaging apps, such as typing alerts, read receipts, sharing high-resolution photos and videos , and group messaging. Supported by carriers and manufacturers, RCS is integrated into smartphones' native messaging apps.

Meanwhile, Apple's iMessage only supports read receipts, text input, group messaging, and high-resolution photo/video sharing, but only within the iOS ecosystem; it does not support RCS. Text messages between Android and iOS are sent via SMS and are different from iMessage. iMessage text bubbles are blue on iOS and green when transferring from iOS to Android. Additionally, images and videos shared between iOS and Android are sent at a lower quality because Apple does not support RCS.

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