Italy investigates Apple for possible blocking of iCloud rivals on iOS

What happened?

On June 16, 2026, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) announced the opening of a formal investigation against Apple for possible non-compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). According to the body, iCloud enjoys privileged access to iOS and iPadOS system functions — in particular the ability to perform full device backups — that is not available to competing services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. This is the first time the AGCM exercises the powers delegated by Article 38(7) of the DMA to assist the European Commission in a preliminary investigation, as reported by Ana-Maria Stanciuc in The Next Web on the same day.

Why is it important?

Article 6(7) of the DMA requires gatekeepers like Apple to ensure consumer cloud service providers have "free and effective" interoperability with the hardware and software components controlled by their operating systems, on equal terms with what the company reserves for its own services. The AGCM argues that Apple does not allow alternative cloud services to use the APIs necessary to perform full device backups — including system settings, app data, and system files — while iCloud can do so. This asymmetry is precisely what the DMA prohibits.

The case has far-reaching implications. If the investigation confirms the infringement, Apple could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover, and potentially corrective measures forcing it to open access to system APIs. Moreover, it sets a precedent for other national competition authorities to launch similar investigations, increasing regulatory pressure on Apple's closed ecosystem.

Context and background

This is not the first time the AGCM has taken on Apple. In April 2026, the Italian regulator fined the company €38 billion for anticompetitive practices related to the App Store, as reported by WWWhat's new. However, this is the first specific investigation into cloud services under the DMA, which became fully effective in March 2024. The Italian national law enabling this action — Law No. 214 of December 30, 2023 — was precisely passed to allow the AGCM to assist the European Commission in such investigations.

The case is also part of a broader EU offensive against Apple's practices. The European Commission has already opened proceedings against the company for DMA non-compliance regarding App Store fees and restrictions on alternative app stores. The Italian investigation into iCloud adds a new dimension to regulatory scrutiny.

What consequences will it have?

The AGCM's findings will be forwarded to Brussels, which has the ultimate authority to impose sanctions. If the violation is confirmed, Apple could be forced to open backup APIs to competitors, radically changing the cloud storage market for iOS. Consumers would gain more choices and potentially lower prices, while services like Google Drive and Dropbox could integrate features previously exclusive to iCloud.

For Apple, the risk goes beyond a potential fine. The obligation to share critical APIs could erode its competitive advantage and weaken the closed ecosystem that has been key to its business model. Additionally, the case could encourage other national regulators to act, creating a multi-front regulatory challenge for the company.

In the short term, the investigation may create uncertainty among iCloud users, though it is unlikely to affect the service immediately. In the long term, the case could redefine interoperability standards in the tech sector.

What should readers know?

• The investigation focuses on Apple's refusal to allow alternative cloud services to access full iPhone backup APIs, a feature that iCloud uses.
• The AGCM acts on behalf of the European Commission, which has the final say on sanctions.
• The case is the first of its kind under the DMA in the cloud domain and could set a precedent for future investigations.
• If Apple is found guilty, it could face multi-billion euro fines and the obligation to open its APIs to competitors.
• Consumers could benefit from increased competition and more cloud storage options for their Apple devices.

"The asymmetry in access to system APIs is exactly what the DMA prohibits. This case could be the first step toward true interoperability in Apple's ecosystem," notes an analysis by TheVortiq.