Italy probes Apple: EU antitrust investigation targets iCloud restrictions

Italy has launched an antitrust investigation into Apple over restrictions on third-party access to iCloud backups, a move that could force the tech giant to open its cloud storage ecosystem to competitors. The probe, announced on Wednesday, centres on allegations that Apple’s policies violate the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires major platforms to allow interoperability with rival services.

The Italian Competition Authority confirmed it is examining whether Apple’s refusal to permit full iCloud backups outside its own ecosystem constitutes an abuse of dominance under the DMA. The investigation follows reports that users in Italy and across the EU have no practical way to transfer complete device backups to non-Apple services, effectively locking them into Apple’s ecosystem.

The case marks the latest regulatory challenge for Apple in Europe, where the DMA has already forced the company to open its iOS platform to alternative app stores and payment systems. Under the law, Apple must ensure that third-party cloud storage providers can access the same backup data as Apple’s own services. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of global turnover—potentially billions of euros.

Apple has not yet responded publicly to the investigation. The company has previously argued that its integrated approach to iCloud ensures security and privacy, though critics contend the restrictions stifle competition. The Italian watchdog’s decision to open the probe suggests regulators are unconvinced by these claims.

The investigation coincides with broader scrutiny of Apple’s practices in the EU. Last month, the European Commission opened a separate DMA investigation into Apple’s App Store rules, focusing on whether the company unfairly favours its own services. That case remains ongoing.

Legal experts say the outcome of the Italian probe could set a precedent for how the DMA is enforced across the bloc. “If Apple is forced to open iCloud, it would be a seismic shift for the cloud storage market,” said antitrust lawyer Clara Rossi. “It would allow users to switch providers without losing their data, fundamentally changing the competitive landscape.”

The investigation is the second major DMA-related case in Italy this year, following a ruling in March that Apple must allow alternative payment methods in its App Store. That decision is currently under appeal by Apple. With the EU’s digital market rules still in their early stages of implementation, further enforcement actions against Apple and other tech giants are widely expected.