---
title: "DMA interoperability requests: Article 7 and Commission guidance"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/interoperability-requests"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/interoperability-requests"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "How EU Digital Markets Act interoperability requests work for Article 7 messaging services, Article 6(7) operating-system access, gatekeeper evidence, requester evidence, and security safeguards."
published_at: "2026-05-09"
updated_at: "2026-05-09"
keywords:
  - "EU Digital Markets Act"
  - "DMA"
  - "Article 7"
  - "interoperability requests"
  - "number-independent interpersonal communication services"
  - "Article 6(7)"
  - "gatekeeper"
---
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---

# DMA interoperability requests: Article 7 and Commission guidance

How EU Digital Markets Act interoperability requests work for Article 7 messaging services, Article 6(7) operating-system access, gatekeeper evidence, requester evidence, and security safeguards.

*FAQ* *EU DMA*

## DMA Interoperability Requests Article 7 and Commission Guidance

A DMA interoperability request is not a generic partner-integration ticket. Under Article 7, it is a request by another provider of number-independent interpersonal communication services for access to listed basic messaging functionalities of a designated gatekeeper service.

This FAQ also distinguishes Article 7 messaging-service requests from the Commission's Article 6(7) guidance on Apple's iOS and iPadOS request process, where the grounding is specific to operating-system interoperability.

Use this page to classify a DMA interoperability request, identify what the requester and gatekeeper should be able to evidence, and separate Article 7 messaging-service requests from operating-system interoperability guidance under Article 6(7).

## How should teams handle DMA Article 7 interoperability requests?

First confirm that the request is really an Article 7 request: the gatekeeper must provide a number-independent interpersonal communication service listed in its DMA designation decision, and the requester must be another provider offering or intending to offer such services in the Union.

If that scope test is met, Article 7 requires the gatekeeper to provide the technical interfaces or similar solutions needed for interoperability, upon request and free of charge. The request can cover some or all of the basic functionalities listed in Article 7, and the gatekeeper must render reasonable requested functionalities operational within three months after receiving the request unless the Commission extends time limits on a reasoned gatekeeper request.

- Record the designated gatekeeper service and confirm whether it is a number-independent interpersonal communication service, such as a listed messaging service.
- Identify the requester as a provider that offers, or intends to offer, number-independent interpersonal communication services in the Union.
- Map the requested functionality to Article 7's basic functionality categories: one-to-one text and media sharing, group text and media sharing, or voice and video call functionality where the relevant Article 7 timing applies.
- Check the gatekeeper's published reference offer for technical details, general terms, security details, and end-to-end encryption information.
- Keep the requester choice and end-user choice separate: Article 7 preserves end users' freedom to decide whether to use interoperable functionality.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7 defines the messaging-service interoperability obligation, requester category, reference-offer requirement, three-month response rule for reasonable requests, end-user choice, and privacy/security safeguards.
- [European Commission - DMA gatekeepers](https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/gatekeepers_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission page identifying designated gatekeepers and core platform services, including services that may be relevant to an Article 7 scope check.

## What evidence should requesters and gatekeepers keep?

The request file should prove the Article 7 scope, the requested functionality, and the security and privacy handling. A requester should be able to show that it is offering or intends to offer a number-independent interpersonal communication service in the Union and that the request maps to Article 7 functionality. A gatekeeper should be able to show how it assessed the request against its reference offer and why any condition, limitation, sequencing decision, or refusal is grounded in the DMA standard.

Gatekeeper compliance evidence should also align with the Commission's Article 11 compliance-report template: for obligations under Articles 5 to 7, gatekeepers are expected to explain measures, scope, technical or engineering changes, security aspects, alternatives considered, and actions taken to protect integrity, security, or privacy.

- Requester evidence: service description, Union offering or launch intent, requested Article 7 functionality, contact details, and any information needed to assess compatibility with the reference offer.
- Gatekeeper evidence: designation decision service, current reference offer, receipt date, functionality mapping, reasonableness assessment, implementation status, and whether the three-month operational deadline applies.
- Security and privacy evidence: the security level offered to the gatekeeper's own users, end-to-end encryption treatment where applicable, strictly necessary personal-data exchange, and any duly justified integrity, security, or privacy measures.
- Decision evidence: rejection reasons, unmet criteria, extension requests to the Commission if any, and the distinction between Article 7 messaging interoperability and non-DMA commercial integrations.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7 supports the requester/gatekeeper evidence fields because it specifies who may request, what must be published in the reference offer, what data may be exchanged, and what safeguards may be justified.
- [European Commission - Article 11 DMA compliance report template](https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/about-dma/practical-information_en?ref=sorena.io#templates) - Commission template context for gatekeeper evidence on Articles 5 to 7 compliance, including technical changes, security aspects, alternatives considered, and integrity, security, or privacy measures.

## How does the Commission's Apple interoperability Q&A affect request handling?

The Commission's Apple interoperability Q&A is important, but it is mainly about Article 6(7) operating-system interoperability for iOS and iPadOS, not Article 7 messaging interoperability. It is still useful because it shows the kind of request-process discipline the Commission expects in a specified interoperability setting: transparent submission guidance, assessment criteria, feedback on proposed solutions, recourse for rejections, tracker visibility, protection of non-public requester information, and public reporting.

Do not copy Apple-specific implementation details into other gatekeepers or services unless the same obligation and source support apply. Use the Q&A as grounded Commission context for Article 6(7) iOS/iPadOS requests and as a caution that interoperability request processes should be explainable, documented, and reviewable.

- Article 6(7) operating-system or virtual-assistant requests involve access to hardware or software features available to the gatekeeper's own services or hardware.
- Article 7 requests involve interoperability between number-independent interpersonal communication services and are tied to the gatekeeper's published reference offer.
- The Commission Q&A says Apple's request process includes clear submission guidance, expected timelines, assessment criteria, feedback before final solutions, appeal or dispute mechanisms, a request tracker, separation of non-public requester information, and annual reporting.
- Security and integrity safeguards must be tied to the relevant article: Article 6(7) allows strictly necessary and proportionate integrity measures for the operating system, virtual assistant, hardware, or software features; Article 7 allows strictly necessary, proportionate, and duly justified measures for integrity, security, and privacy of messaging services.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission - DMA interoperability questions and answers](https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/questions-and-answers/interoperability_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission Q&A on Apple Article 6(7) iOS and iPadOS interoperability, including the request-based process, developer feedback, rejection handling, tracker, information separation, and reporting.
- [Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj?ref=sorena.io) - DMA text distinguishing Article 6(7) operating-system and virtual-assistant interoperability from Article 7 messaging-service interoperability.

## Primary sources

- [Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Binding DMA text for Article 6(7), Article 7, Article 8 compliance demonstrations, gatekeeper/requester roles, reference offers, timing, and security, integrity, privacy, and data-protection safeguards.
  - Quote: "Obligation for gatekeepers on interoperability of number-independent interpersonal communications services"
- [European Commission - DMA interoperability questions and answers](https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/questions-and-answers/interoperability_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission guidance on Apple iOS and iPadOS interoperability under Article 6(7), including request-process transparency, feedback, rejection handling, tracker visibility, information separation, and reporting.
  - Quote: "Apple's request-based process"
- [European Commission - DMA gatekeepers](https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/gatekeepers_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission list of designated gatekeepers and core platform services used to ground the gatekeeper and service-scope check.
  - Quote: "core platform services"
- [European Commission - Article 11 DMA compliance report template](https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/about-dma/practical-information_en?ref=sorena.io#templates) - Commission template context for evidence expected in gatekeeper compliance reporting for Articles 5 to 7 obligations.
  - Quote: "compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 to 7"

## Topic Guides

- [DMA Anti-Circumvention Design Review for Gatekeeper Product Changes](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/anti-circumvention-design-review.md): Review DMA Article 13 anti-circumvention risks in gatekeeper product, interface, contractual, commercial, and technical changes with obligation mapping and evidence records.
- [DMA Article 11 Compliance Report Template FAQ](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/compliance-report-template.md): How gatekeepers should use the DMA Article 11 compliance report template to document obligation-by-obligation measures, evidence, updates, and non-confidential summaries.
- [DMA Article 6 Business User Data Access Guide](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/business-user-data-access.md): Grounded guide to EU Digital Markets Act Article 6 data access for business users, end users, authorised third parties, consent boundaries, and evidence handoffs.
- [DMA Article 6(7) and Article 7 interoperability obligations](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/article-6-7-interoperability.md): Grounded guide to DMA interoperability duties: Article 6(7) operating-system feature access, Article 7 messaging interoperability, request handling, security conditions, and compliance evidence.
- [DMA Articles 5, 6 and 7 obligations mapped to CPS evidence](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/core-obligations-by-obligation.md): Map EU Digital Markets Act Articles 5, 6 and 7 obligations to affected core platform services, product evidence, legal owners, and Article 11 compliance-report artifacts.
- [DMA compliance program and monitoring for gatekeepers](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/compliance-program-and-monitoring.md): Build a DMA compliance program around Article 8 effective compliance, Article 11 reporting evidence, Article 13 anti-circumvention controls, and Article 28 compliance-function governance.
- [DMA Core Platform Service Scoping](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/core-platform-service-scoping-by-service.md): Scope EU Digital Markets Act core platform services by service category, designation evidence, user thresholds, and Form GD service-boundary records.
- [DMA core platform services FAQ](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/core-platform-services.md): FAQ on EU Digital Markets Act core platform services: Article 2 service categories, gatekeeper designation evidence, user thresholds, service scoping, and Article 11 reporting.
- [DMA CPS Obligation Matrix Workflow: Articles 5, 6, 7 and Article 11 Evidence](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/cps-obligation-matrix-workflow.md): Build a DMA core platform service obligation matrix that links each designated CPS to Articles 5, 6 and 7 duties, product owners, designation evidence, Article 11 report artifacts and review gates.
- [DMA designation intake workflow for gatekeeper notifications](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/designation-intake-workflow.md): Build a grounded DMA designation intake record covering core platform service classification, Article 3 thresholds, Form GD evidence, Commission handoff, and Article 11 readiness.
- [DMA enforcement, penalties, and remedies: Commission powers and evidence](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/enforcement-penalties-and-remedies.md): EU Digital Markets Act enforcement guide covering Commission non-compliance decisions, DMA fine caps, periodic penalty payments, remedies, interim measures, commitments, and Article 11 evidence.
- [DMA Gatekeeper Compliance Checklist for Articles 5, 6, 7 and 11](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/gatekeeper-compliance-checklist.md): A grounded EU Digital Markets Act checklist for designated gatekeepers: core platform service scope, Article 5/6/7 controls, Article 11 report evidence, anti-circumvention checks, and review gates.
- [DMA Gatekeeper Designation Guide: Article 3 thresholds, Form GD, and Article 11 readiness](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/gatekeeper-designation-guide.md): A grounded EU Digital Markets Act guide for assessing Article 3 gatekeeper thresholds, scoping core platform services, preparing Form GD evidence, handling rebuttal annexes, and planning Article 11 compliance reporting.
- [DMA gatekeeper thresholds: what counts and when to notify](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/gatekeeper-thresholds.md): Standalone FAQ on the EU Digital Markets Act gatekeeper thresholds, Article 3 notification timing, Form GD evidence, and active user-count methodology.
- [DMA penalties and fines: caps, triggers, and enforcement evidence](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/penalties-and-fines.md): EU Digital Markets Act penalties guide covering Article 30 fine caps, Article 31 periodic penalty payments, non-compliance decisions, remedies, and evidence records.
- [DMA Product Change Review Workflow for Articles 5, 6, 7, 11 and 13](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/product-change-review-workflow.md): Review DMA-relevant product releases for Article 5, Article 6, Article 7, anti-circumvention, Article 11 evidence, and product-owner/legal signoff.
- [DMA Self-Preferencing Compliance Examples for Ranking and Display](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/self-preferencing-compliance-examples.md): Examples and release-review controls for DMA Article 6(5) self-preferencing checks across ranking, indexing, crawling, search results, marketplaces, app stores, feeds, and virtual assistants.
- [DMA vs Data Act: gatekeeper duties compared with EU data-sharing rules](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/dma-vs-data-act.md): Compare the EU Digital Markets Act and EU Data Act by scope, actors, data access, interoperability, reporting, evidence, and enforcement without merging distinct obligations.
- [DMA vs DSA: Digital Markets vs Services Act](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/dma-vs-dsa.md): A grounded comparison of the DMA and DSA focused on gatekeepers, core platform services, DMA obligations, Article 11 reporting, interoperability, data access, and enforcement.
- [DMA vs EU competition law: gatekeeper obligations, Article 11 evidence, and enforcement](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/dma-vs-eu-competition-law.md): Compare the EU Digital Markets Act with EU competition law: ex ante gatekeeper and core platform service duties, Articles 5 to 7, Article 11 reports, penalties, and evidence records.
- [DMA vs GDPR: gatekeeper data obligations compared](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/dma-vs-gdpr.md): Compare DMA gatekeeper obligations with high-level GDPR overlap for consent, combining personal data, data access, portability, and Article 11 reporting.
- [EU Digital Markets Act Article 11 Evidence Calendar](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/annual-report-evidence-calendar.md): Build a source-grounded DMA Article 11 compliance report calendar with evidence owners, annual update checkpoints, report sections, and review gates.
- [EU Digital Markets Act checklist for gatekeeper compliance](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/checklist.md): A source-grounded DMA checklist for designated gatekeepers and core platform services, covering scope, Articles 5, 6 and 7 obligations, Article 11 reporting, evidence, anti-circumvention, and governance.
- [EU Digital Markets Act compliance: gatekeeper obligations and evidence](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/compliance.md): DMA compliance guide for designated gatekeepers: core platform service scoping, Articles 5, 6 and 7 controls, Article 11 reports, anti-circumvention checks, interoperability evidence, and enforcement risk.
- [EU Digital Markets Act deadlines and compliance calendar](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): Track DMA notification, designation, six-month obligation start, Article 11 reporting, Article 14 concentration notices, Article 15 profiling audits, and preparation milestones using official EU sources.
- [EU Digital Markets Act FAQ: gatekeepers, DMA obligations, reports, and enforcement](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq.md): Concise FAQ on the EU Digital Markets Act for gatekeeper designation, core platform services, Articles 5, 6 and 7 obligations, Article 11 reports, interoperability, business-user data access, compliance evidence, and enforcement.
- [EU Digital Markets Act requirements for gatekeepers](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/requirements.md): DMA requirements for designated gatekeepers: core platform service scope, Articles 5, 6 and 7 obligations, Article 11 reporting, anti-circumvention, evidence, remedies, and fines.
- [EU Digital Markets Act Timeline and Key Milestones: practical obligations and evidence guide](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/timeline-and-key-milestones.md): Practical EU Digital Markets Act guide to Timeline and Key Milestones: scope, owners, evidence, edge cases, checklist steps, and external source-linked citations.
- [EU DMA Applicability Test: gatekeeper thresholds, core platform services, and evidence](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/applicability-test.md): Test whether the EU Digital Markets Act may apply to a platform service using the DMA gatekeeper criteria, core platform service categories, EU user thresholds, notification steps, and evidence records.
- [EU DMA Article 11 Compliance Reporting Guide](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/article-11-reporting.md): Source-grounded guide to EU Digital Markets Act Article 11 compliance reports: report purpose, template evidence, non-confidential summaries, annual updates, and submission steps.
- [EU DMA do's and don'ts for product teams](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/dos-and-donts-for-product-teams.md): Product release checks for designated DMA gatekeepers: Article 5, 6 and 7 obligations, anti-circumvention review, data access, interoperability, self-preferencing and Article 11 evidence.
- [What do DMA Articles 5, 6, and 7 require from gatekeepers?](/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/articles-5-6-and-7-obligations.md): FAQ explaining how EU Digital Markets Act Articles 5, 6, and 7 group gatekeeper obligations, what product evidence they require, and how Article 11 reporting connects.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: before sources*

## Separate Article 7 messaging requests from Article 6(7) operating-system access

Sorena can help turn the DMA source checks on this page into an evidence request, a gatekeeper-service scope review, and a concise record of security, privacy, and implementation constraints.

- [Open Research Copilot for EU Digital Markets Act](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Ask source-linked questions about Article 7 interoperability, Article 6(7) operating-system access, gatekeeper scope, and request evidence using the cited sources on this page.
- [Talk through implementation](/contact.md): Review whether a request belongs under DMA Article 7, Article 6(7), a gatekeeper compliance report, or a non-DMA integration process.


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Source: https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/digital-markets-act/faq/interoperability-requests