On April 30th, reports indicate that the EU has classified Apple's iPadOS as a "gatekeeper" and is requiring it to adhere to new regulations similar to those of iOS. In the future, iPadOS will allow EU users to download and use alternative app stores, browser engines, and more.
To meet the gatekeeper criteria, two conditions must be satisfied: firstly, the entity must have generated a minimum of €75 billion in revenue in each of the past three fiscal years in EU countries, or have an average market capitalization of €750 billion in the previous fiscal year, while also providing its core platform to at least three EU member states.
Secondly, it must operate a core platform with a minimum of 45 million monthly active users in the EU for each of the past three fiscal years, as well as over 10,000 EU business users annually.
Previously, the EU designated Apple's iOS system as a "gatekeeper," and the latest version of iOS has already opened up sideloading, allowing users to sideload apps from third-party app stores.
Now, iPadOS is also expected to follow the rules of iOS by opening up sideloading. It is anticipated that Apple will soon push updates for iPadOS and adjust its app distribution rules accordingly.
