Encrypted email provider Tuta filed and quickly withdrew a Digital Markets Act (DMA) complaint against Apple over the tech giant's alleged failure to enable Tuta Mail as a default email option on iOS devices.
The German company submitted the complaint on April 2, 2025, claiming Apple had not responded to their January 2025 request to be included as a default mail app option. Under the DMA regulations implemented last year, Apple must allow users to select third-party services as their default email application.
"After waiting months for a response and multiple attempts to contact Apple through various channels, we were forced to file a formal complaint for abusing its gatekeeping position," said Tuta CEO Matthias Pfau.
However, the situation changed rapidly when media became involved. According to Tuta's Press Officer Hanna Bozakov, Apple reached out within hours after a Reuters journalist inquired about the issue. This prompted Tuta to withdraw their complaint on April 3.
Apple stated that Tuta's original request was incomplete, missing a required "mailto" URL scheme necessary for default mail app functionality. While Tuta acknowledged this technical oversight, Bozakov expressed frustration with the delayed communication: "We would likely still be waiting for a response had the journalist not contacted them."
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between major tech platforms and smaller service providers under the DMA framework. Apple has offered default mail app options since iOS 14 in 2020, with competitors like Gmail and ProtonMail already enabled as alternatives.
"We hope to see large technology companies use their market power responsibly and respond to legitimate requests without requiring media pressure," Bozakov added.