In a press release, Apple has responded On the Digital Market Regulation (DMA) in the European Union and what this has for users in the EU. Because of this European obligation, however, Apple must make a number of worrying adjustments to the design and delivery of Apple products for users in Europe.
The Digital Market Regulation (DMA) is a European law aimed at allowing the largest digital platforms, also known as gatekeepers, to act fairly and to prevent abuse of their dominant market position. With the DMA these platforms get clear obligations, so that more competition, better conditions for entrepreneurs and consumers, and open digital markets arise.
Apple responds to DMA
In Europe, millions of people opt for Apple products because of their design and reliability. And developers choose Apple because of the huge international market for their products. This business model appears to work well, both in Europe and in the rest of the world.
Due to the European Digital Market Regulation, Apple must make a number of worrying adjustments to the design and delivery of Apple products for its users in Europe.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a scheme that the European Union introduced in 2022 to guide tech companies with how they make their products. This regulation contains many rules, but its application differs per company.
For Apple, the DMA influences different ways in which users use Apple products in the EU, such as downloading apps, paying and cooperation between Apple products.
Recently, the European Commission, which is responsible for the DMA, asked feedback from both companies and EU citizens about the impact of this scheme. This was a reason for Apple to inform its users in the EU about current changes and what we can expect in the future.
The consequences of the DMA for Apple users in the EU
In the press release, Apple explains the consequences of the DMA to its users. Earlier it became clear that some functions have been delayed by this law and that adjustments must be made to be able to comply with the legislation, sometimes at the expense of the consumer. Below an overview.
Delayed functions
Because of the DMA, Apple may only implement certain features in its own products after they have been made suitable for products and apps from other suppliers. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time to get that done. As a result, the following new features are not yet available in the EU:
- Synchronous iPhone display is a function with which users can operate their iPhone on their Mac, for example to view a message or drag photos from their iPhone to their Mac. Developers at Apple have not yet found a safe method to make this function suitable for devices from other manufacturers without jeopardizing all data on the user’s iPhone. As a result, we cannot yet release this function in the EU.
- Also the launch of useful functions such as Visited places and Preferred routes In maps, Apple has had to postpone: storing location data on the device, so that they are only accessible to the user. Apple has found no way to make this function available to other developers without giving up the location of the user – something that Apple simply refuses.
- Live translation on AirPods uses Apple Intelligence to allow users of this Apple product to communicate with people who speak a different language. Adjusting such an advanced feature in such a way that it also works on other devices is complicated and therefore takes a lot of time. For example, Apple has designed live translation in such a way that all translated conversations remain completely private: the translation takes place on the device and the conversations are never accessible to Apple. Technicians at Apple are now finding a solution to guarantee that these conversations are never accessible to other companies or developers.
Apple explains further:
“We have made a number of proposals to adjust these features in such a way that the data of our users remain private, but so far the European Commission has all rejected it. And according to the European Commission, we can only legally offer these features to our own users because of the DMA if we have made them suitable for products from other manufacturers. If we possibly release the features, we get a fine in the delivery of the fine.”
“We want our users in Europe to be able to have our innovations at the same time as all other users, and we do everything we can to make that possible – even if the DMA causes a delay. But because of the DMA, the list of features that are launched in the EU is probably longer. And that means that the Apple users in the EU are constantly lagging behind.”
More risks and less convenience in the field of apps
The App Store is set up as a safe and reliable marketplace for users, and also as a good market for developers. For users in Europe, the DMA has these consequences:
- More risks when downloading apps and the payment for this: The DMA obliges Apple to allow sideloading, alternative app marketplaces and payment systems, so that EU users can be exposed to scams, malware and higher costs without repayment options.
- Less intuitive: Users in the EU now have many different app marketplaces with unique designs and rules, making it more difficult to find out the origin of apps and responsibilities, leading to more risk of rogue apps.
- Exposure to harmful apps: For the first time there are porn and gambling apps available for iPhone via other market places, which are normally not allowed in the App Store because of the risks, especially for children.
Apple has set up the App Store in such a way that it is a safe place for users: every app is checked, developers follow the same rules and parents have tools to protect their children. Apple remains committed to the quality that users expect, but the DMA forces Apple to change this model. This makes it more complicated for EU users and increases the risks.
Other risks of privacy and security area
In the press release Lights Apple still risks of privacy and security area. For example, among the DMA other companies may ask to access user data and core technology on Apple products. Apple is obliged to meet almost every request, even if our users run serious risks.
Vision of Apple on the DMA
The DMA came into force more than a year ago. Since then it has been found that this regulation has negative consequences for Apple users in the EU. They are confronted with new risks and notice that their Apple products are no longer always working together in the usual way. And as soon as new technology comes out, the Apple products from European users are constantly lagging behind.
The European markets also do not benefit from the DMA. Good-running companies no longer compete by innovating themselves, but by using the regulation for their own agenda: either to collect more data from EU citizens or to get Apple’s technology for free.
Apple has spent a lot of time finding legal ways to launch new functions in the EU, despite their concern about the DMA. However, they acknowledge that not all the problems that the DMA creates can be solved. That is why they ask the European Commission carefully to investigate the impact of this regulation on European Apple users, so that they too have access to the same technologies and standards as the rest of the world.