Apple faces regulatory pressure over decision to shut down Beeper Mini app

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr on Tuesday sought an investigation into Apple’s Beeper Mini app, which briefly enabled messaging interoperability between iOS and Android.

During the State of the Network event, Carr said regulators should investigate whether Apple’s move “is consistent with FCC Part 14 regulations on accommodating users with disabilities.”

“I am calling on the FCC to investigate whether Apple violated our Part 14 rules by blocking Beeper Mini, an app that enables iOS and Android messaging interoperability,” she posted on X.

Beeper bridges the “blue bubble-green bubble” divide that Apple insists on as part of its broader walled-garden approach to stifling competition.

“Apple’s broader exclusionary practices deserve scrutiny from antitrust and competition agencies, but the FCC should also review this specific incident through our Part 14 rules on accessibility, usability, and compatibility,” Carr further said.

Launched last year, Beeper Mini gives Android users access to iMessage capabilities.

However, Apple blocked Beeper Mini users and continued attempts to prevent the app from running.

FCC Part 14 sets out the requirements that “advanced communications services” like iMessage must follow to ensure their accessibility.

“Apple made changes to iMessage to disable the functionality of the Beeper Mini,” Carr said. “Apple’s iMessage decisions have had many negative consequences,” she added.

Apple has not yet responded to Carr’s investigative calls.

(This article has not been edited by News18 staff and is published by IANS, the associated news agency)