Hundreds of Millions Denied Access to New Apple Features
Apple has decided to withhold the release of Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing in the European Union due to concerns about the regulations stipulated in the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple Restricts AI and New Features in the EU Over Regulatory Concerns
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s latest artificial intelligence upgrade. An Apple spokesperson described it as a suite of “highly capable” large language and “diffusion models,” along with an “on-device semantic index” that integrates across apps to identify data and feed it to models, impacting functions like the Siri voice assistant.
iPhone Mirroring: Allows users to see and control their iPhones from their Macs.
SharePlay Screen Sharing: Enables FaceTime users to control each other’s devices during conversations.
Fred Sainz, Apple’s senior director of corporate communications, explained that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force Apple to compromise the integrity of its products, risking user privacy and data security.
EU’s Digital Markets Act and Big Tech
Apple is one of six corporations the EU has designated as “gatekeepers” due to their dominant market positions. The other gatekeepers are Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft. These companies must adhere to the DMA’s regulations, which aim to ensure fair competition and protect user privacy and data security.
The DMA, which came into effect in May 2023, imposes rules on these gatekeepers regarding interactions with third parties, users’ control over their data, and businesses’ rights to verify advertising hosting on their platforms. Non-compliance can lead to penalties of up to 10% of the company’s total worldwide annual turnover, or up to 20% for repeated offenses, along with additional remedies. Apple is already under investigation for its business practices in the EU.
The EU comprises 27 member states with a population of 448.4 million.
Apple has not provided immediate responses to requests for confirmation and additional information.
