Apple Voices Concerns Over EU’s Digital Markets Act, Hints at Potential EU Market Restrictions
Apple has publicly criticized the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), arguing it compromises user security, disrupts product functionality, and creates unfair competition. In a submission to the commission reviewing the three-year-old anti-monopoly legislation, the company stated the DMA is negatively impacting the experience for Apple users in the EU.
The silicon Valley giant claims the DMA’s interoperability requirements – forcing compatibility with non-Apple products and services – have already led to delays in launching features like live translation via AirPods and iPhone screen mirroring on laptops.Apple warned that further feature delays are likely, widening the gap between the EU user experience and that of users in other regions.
Specifically, apple cited the requirement to allow headphones from other brands to work with iPhones as a barrier to releasing its live translation service, citing privacy concerns related to rival companies accessing conversation data. The company argues the DMA isn’t applied consistently, pointing to samsung as the largest smartphone provider in the EU not facing the same regulations.
Apple is calling for the DMA to be either repealed or replaced with revised legislation. It suggested that products like the Apple Watch, released a decade ago, might not be launched in the EU under the current regulatory framework.
This latest dispute follows Apple’s appeal earlier this year against a €500m fine levied by the EU for allegedly restricting app developers from informing users about cheaper deals outside the App Store.
The situation has also drawn attention from the United States, with former President Donald Trump threatening tariffs against unspecified nations in August in response to regulations impacting US tech companies. Trump claimed these regulations - including Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and the Digital Markets Regulations – are designed to harm American technology companies and unfairly benefit Chinese competitors.
Apple alleges that competitors are exploiting the DMA “to collect more data from EU citizens, or to get Apple’s technology for free.” The company also highlighted that the DMA has altered app access,leading to the availability of apps on iPhones through alternative marketplaces that Apple previously prohibited on its App Store due to security risks,specifically mentioning concerns regarding pornography apps and their potential impact on children.
The European Commission has been contacted for comment.
