In a recent development, the European Commission has officially closed market investigations under the Digital Markets Act, determining that Apple's messaging service, iMessage, and Microsoft's services do not meet gatekeeper status criteria. Despite speculations that the EU's regulatory influence led to Apple's change in supporting the RCS messaging standard, it has been clarified that the decision was not influenced by the European Commission.

Apple's announcement to back RCS, which came in November, was not a result of EU's regulatory pressure but rather a decision influenced by Chinese carriers and the Chinese government's mandate for new 5G devices to support RCS. Despite misconceptions about the implications of DMA regulations on messaging platforms, it has been highlighted that RCS and iMessage are standalone platforms with different functionalities.

The EU's recent decisions and Apple's adoption of RCS showcase the complex interplay of global market forces and regulatory landscapes influencing tech giants' decisions. While the European Commission's role in Apple’s RCS support remains nonexistent, it underscores the intricate dynamics shaping tech policies worldwide.