BAF NEWS

EU DMA gatekeeper Apple Ads Maps now enters a 45‑working‑day review that could extend the bloc’s toughest tech obligations beyond the App Store, iOS and Safari. Apple argues Ads and Maps should be exempt given limited EU scale, according to available reports. If designated, the six‑month compliance clock starts under the Digital Markets Act.

In the broader European context, gatekeeper outcomes set precedents for data access, interoperability, and market fairness. The review therefore matters for ad tech rivals, mobility apps, and EU consumers who rely on mapping and discovery services.

EU DMA review of Apple Ads and Maps

EU DMA gatekeeper Apple Ads Maps: What the 45‑day review covers

Regulators will decide whether Ads and Maps meet thresholds for designation and thus fall under DMA obligations. Apple has told Brussels that Ads is a minor player in EU online advertising and that Maps usage remains limited. Nonetheless, the Commission will apply the law’s criteria and timelines (45 working days for a decision, six months to comply if designated). ^[1]

Why gatekeeper status would matter for Apple Ads/Maps

DMA gatekeeper status for Apple Ads and Apple Maps

Gatekeeper status would broaden the scope of digital markets act gatekeepers beyond Apple’s already‑designated core services. It could require new data‑sharing interfaces, ban self‑preferencing, and mandate interoperability that benefits smaller rivals. A formal apple maps gatekeeper tag would raise expectations for access to location and business‑listing data. Moreover, apple maps gatekeeper obligations could reshape how navigation, ads, and commerce intersect on iOS.

If X holds, Y follows, If Ads and Maps are designated, watch for new documentation on APIs and data portability. If not, Apple keeps optionality and the DMA’s focus stays on its existing core platforms.

Timeline: EU DMA Apple Ads/Maps decision and other key dates

The Commission’s 45‑working‑day decision window begins now. Should gatekeeper status land, the six‑month compliance runway would set milestones for 2026 implementation. Separately, bidders face a deadline to express interest in a 27% stake in The Economist, which could value the publisher at roughly £800 million.

EU cloud probe widens as Google drops Microsoft complaint

Europe’s sector assessment of cloud services continues amid market concentration. AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud account for the largest shares in the region, with estimates around 30%, 20%, and 13% respectively. As the eu cloud sector probe expands, the Commission could still deem some providers digital markets act gatekeepers for certain cloud services.

Google drops microsoft complaint is the latest twist. The company withdrew its EU antitrust filing against Microsoft’s cloud practices, citing the ongoing assessment. As the eu cloud sector probe advances, Google drops microsoft complaint to let Brussels’ process run its course. Any DMA gatekeeper decisions here would have structural consequences for pricing, portability, and partner programs. ^[2]

China bars ByteDance from Nvidia chips in new data centers

Beijing has reportedly barred ByteDance from deploying Nvidia chips in new data centers. The move aligns with guidance steering state‑funded facilities toward domestic AI semiconductors. Nvidia, meanwhile, has noted it cannot offer a competitive data center GPU in China under current rules. ^[4]

Messaging and networks: Russia threatens WhatsApp ban; Huawei, ZTE expand in Vietnam 5G

Russia’s communications watchdog has threatened a full block of WhatsApp if it does not comply with local law. Authorities already limited some WhatsApp and Telegram calls earlier this year. The russia whatsapp ban push coincides with promotion of a state‑backed app. ^[5]

Meanwhile, Huawei and ZTE have won multiple 5G equipment deals in Vietnam this year. A Huawei‑linked consortium secured about $23 million in April, and ZTE contracts exceed $20 million. Western officials flagged security concerns as Chinese vendors grow, even as Ericsson and Nokia supply the 5G core and Qualcomm provides gear. As networks diversify, the russia whatsapp ban debate underscores how policy and security shape consumer communications. ^[3]

Deals and capital: Raptor acquisition, The Economist stake, Adani, Google data center

Private equity is active in safety software: Warburg Pincus agreed to buy a majority of Raptor Technologies at around a $1.8 billion valuation, with JMI Equity keeping a minority stake. The Economist’s 27% holding is attracting bidders ahead of today’s deadline, under governance that prevents control by any single owner. And in India, Adani plans up to $5 billion for Google’s AI data‑center project in Visakhapatnam. ^[6]

In addition, Google previously flagged $15 billion of five‑year investment for the India AI site and targets $85 billion of data center spending this year. The Visakhapatnam campus is planned at 1 GW initially, signaling the scale of infrastructure AI requires. ^[8]

What’s Next

Ripple effects:

• EU DMA gatekeeper Apple Ads Maps decision due within 45 working days, then a six‑month compliance sprint.
• Watch for DMA rulemaking spillovers if Ads and Maps are designated digital markets act gatekeepers.
• Updates from the eu cloud sector probe, including any DMA gatekeeper moves for Azure or AWS after Google drops microsoft complaint.
• Enforcement steps in Moscow following the russia whatsapp ban threat.
• Outcome of The Economist stake process and any effects on media governance.
• Policy signals from Beijing on AI chips and domestic supply chains.
• Vietnam’s 5G rollouts and vendor mix across core and radio access.

In the broader European context, the Commission’s Apple and cloud calls will shape platform competition and cross‑border data flows. If the EU pushes hard, compliance templates could spread beyond Europe via regulatory convergence.