Apple is urging the European Commission to repeal a significant portion of its technology legislation, cautioning that failure to amend the existing framework could result in the company halting the shipment of certain products and services within the European market. The latest conflict surfaced as Apple expressed concerns regarding the Digital Markets Act (DMA), claiming it adversely affects user experience and increases security risks, while also disrupting the cohesive functionality of Apple’s product ecosystem.
In a recent submission during the commission’s review of the three-year-old anti-monopoly legislation, which aims to manage the dominance of major digital firms, Apple reported that compliance with the DMA has led to delays in launching new features, such as live translation on AirPods and the ability to mirror iPhone screens on laptops. The company noted that the demands for interoperability with non-Apple products have made it increasingly challenging to enhance its offerings, suggesting that the list of deferred features for European users is likely to grow, further diminishing their experience with Apple products.
Apple also highlighted concerns over competition in the EU market, emphasizing that the DMA introduced biases, as certain requirements seem not to apply to other competitors, notably Samsung, the largest smartphone provider in the region. A significant aspect of the DMA stipulates that Apple must ensure compatibility of its iPhones with headphones from other brands. This requirement has hindered Apple’s rollout of its live translation service, as it opens avenues for competing companies to access sensitive conversational data, raising privacy issues.
The tech giant called for a repeal of the DMA or, at the very least, the introduction of more suitable legislation. Though Apple did not specify which products might cease distribution in the EU, it hinted that even the Apple Watch, which debuted a decade ago, could face similar obstacles today.
This situation marks yet another chapter in Apple’s ongoing disputes with the European Commission. Earlier in the year, the company filed an appeal concerning a €500 million fine imposed by the EU for allegedly restricting app developers’ ability to direct users to cheaper alternatives outside of the App Store.
The issue has garnered broader geopolitical attention as well. In August, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a potential response involving tariffs against countries imposing regulations perceived as detrimental to American tech firms. He criticized measures like Digital Taxes and Digital Services Legislation for targeting U.S. companies while providing leniency to large Chinese tech firms.
Apple further contended that under the DMA, successful companies are manipulating legal frameworks to pursue their own interests, leading to practices that gather more data from EU citizens or obtain access to Apple’s technology without compensation. The company also raised alarms over how the act impacts user access to apps, noting that “pornography apps” are available from alternative markets on iPhones, which Apple has historically excluded from its App Store due to associated risks, particularly for children.
The European Commission has been approached for a comment regarding the ongoing concerns raised by Apple.
