The European Commission (EU) has ordered Apple Inc to make its iOS operating system more accessible to rival devices such as smartwatches, earbuds, and headsets. Regulators also want Apple to improve transparency for outside developers, providing clearer processes for requesting access to iPhone features and offering dedicated contacts to handle such requests.
The commission has also asked Apple to adopt better practices for managing rejected requests and facilitating conciliation. In a detailed online document, the EU outlined several iPhone features it wants third-party developers to access, including technologies related to Wi-Fi connections, file transfers, and video streaming.
Apple has pushed back, arguing that complying with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) would compromise user security and privacy. In a statement, the company claimed the regulations force users "to open their devices — and their most sensitive data — to companies with a track record of violating their privacy."
Apple specifically called out Meta Platforms Inc, saying the Facebook parent has made more requests than any other company to access Apple's sensitive technologies. "Meta is seeking to alter functionality in a way that raises concerns about the privacy and security of users," Apple stated. The two companies have long been at odds, clashing over privacy features, in-app fees, and Meta's hardware devices like Quest headsets and smart glasses.
Meta, now leveraging the DMA, aims to make its products work seamlessly with Apple's technology. The flagship EU rules also demand access to Apple's key features, such as Siri voice commands and its payment chip, to ensure fair competition for developers.
Apple argues that these mandates harm innovation, stating, "Companies should be able to compete with one another to make their own products work together in new ways that benefit users without giving their ideas away to competitors. Apple is the only company being forced to share its innovations in this way with everyone else, including those who do not share its commitment to user privacy."
The EU has hinted at launching a formal investigation early next year if Apple does not comply with the DMA. Such a move could lead to fines of up to 10% of Apple's global annual sales. Separately, the company is already under scrutiny in a parallel probe into its App Store rules, which could result in another significant penalty.
The commission's actions are part of a broader effort to curb the influence of US tech giants, with Apple's closed ecosystem becoming a focal point of regulatory attention.
Bloomberg
