Apple iMessage Set to Avoid EU’s Digital Dominance Crackdown (1)

Apple Inc.’s iMessage service looks set to win a carve out from new European Union antitrust rules to rein in Big Tech platforms after watchdogs tentatively concluded that it isn’t popular enough with business users to warrant being hit by the regulation.

European Commission officials are leaning toward the reprieve for Apple as part of a five-month market investigation which concludes in February, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In order to fall under the scope of the rules, a service must be deemed an “important gateway” for business users. EU enforcers ...