Apple Appeals EU Digital Markets Act Interoperability Rules

[MacRumors]

Apple has filed an appeal against the European Union's Digital Markets Act interoperability requirements, calling the rules "deeply flawed" and a threat to user security (via The Wall Street Journal).

Apple submitted its challenge to the EU's General Court in Luxembourg on May 30, targeting the Commission's March decision that requires Apple to make iOS more compatible with rival products including smartwatches, headphones, and VR headsets.

Under the DMA, Apple must grant third-party developers access to iOS features typically reserved for its own products, such as allowing notifications to appear on competing wearable devices. The rules also mandate faster data transfers and easier device pairing for non-Apple hardware.

Apple argues the requirements force it to share sensitive user data with competitors, creating security risks. The company specifically highlighted requests from rivals seeking access to notification content and complete WiFi network histories – data that "even Apple doesn't see."

"At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together," a company spokesperson said. "The EU's interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation."

The tech giant claims some companies are exploiting the DMA to bypass EU data protection standards. Apple has dedicated 500 engineers to DMA compliance efforts and launched a developer portal for interoperability requests.

Companies violating DMA rules face fines up to 10% of worldwide annual revenue. The Commission can also order business breakups in extreme cases.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Appeals EU Digital Markets Act Interoperability Rules

 

[germanbeer007]

Imagine advocating for apps being able to store your credit card numbers in a plaintext SQL database for digital goods. Idiots.

"We want a choice!". You already do. Android. Not hard to understand. You're essentially reducing choice by making iOS like Android. 🤦‍♂️

 

[swm]

rival VR headsets, you say?

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

My biggest worry right now is what America is planning on forcing Apple to do in the near future. While European Union I trust way more with their policies support for Users.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Imagine advocating for apps being able to store your credit card numbers in a plaintext SQL database for digital goods. Idiots.

"We want a choice!". You already do. Android. Not hard to understand. You're essentially reducing choice by making iOS like Android. 🤦‍♂️

I really, really, don't like that comparison. It's not making iPhone like Android, it's making Apple better. The fact that Android already did just means Google is ahead. I don't like ecosystems, at all, and want to be able to mix-and-match as I see fit.

Some of these, I agree, are going to far, but I think there should be a lot more interoperability. I live in a mixed iPhone/Android household (myself on iPhone, and wife on a Pixel).

 

[Populus]

Please let Apple release iPhone mirroring on macOS just like it was intended. Apple’s secret sauce is their tight integration, the ecosystem.


While EU costumers are happy to now be able to use a standard charging port such as USB-C, thanks to the push of EU, sometimes I think they’re going too far. And iPhone screen mirroring is fundamentally a continuity/handoff feature (never knew the difference between them).

 

[thekeyring]

Thank goodness I don't live in an EU country.

 

[laptech]

.....
Apple argues the requirements force it to share sensitive user data with competitors, creating security risks. The company specifically highlighted requests from rivals seeking access to notification content and complete WiFi network histories – data that "even Apple doesn't see."

.....

So it's not really a case of the DMA act being wrong, it's a case of Apple exposing requests from rivals who want to abuse aspects of the DMA act for their own gain/use. A huge majority of things in life was designed and built with good intentions but there will always be someone that will abuse those good intentions for nefarious reasons.

 

[d686546s]

As a strong supporter of what the DMA is seeking to achieve I say that's good, that's how the process is supposed to work.

I'm also under no illusion that, as the first of its kind, the Act will have flaws and unintended consequences, or that some actors will try to abuse it. That's normal, probably unavoidable and will only come to light in implementation.

I will also say that Apple and other gatekeepers will have legitimate concerns that need to be addressed, in addition to concerns that are just issues to their bottom line in disguise. All of this will take years to resolve, but that doesn't make it bad.

 

[SanderEvers]

My biggest worry right now is what America is planning on forcing Apple to do in the near future. While European Union I trust way more with their policies support for Users.

DMA is not a policy to support Users. There is no U of user or C of consumer ANYWHERE in that law. Only the M for market. Which means this is pure protectionism of European companies that can't compete with American companies. Again NO EU company is a "gatekeeper" according to the EU, even though some should absolutely be one.

And if you think "protecionism" isn't bad. It's actually illegal under EU law, a country isn't allowed to give market protection to a company. This would end in large fines from the EC (European Comission). But using this legislation they have reworked this "protection" into a new law.
Just like GDPR doesn't protect citizens privacy, because other legislation easily tramples it.

 

[bollman]

Apple must grant third-party developers access to iOS features typically reserved for its own products [snip]
"The EU's interoperability requirements [snip] stifles innovation."

Well, if you put those to 2 somewhat closer, you can clearly see that what it is all about.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Just a bad a excuse to block third party apps. Nobody is forced to use a third party app. At Android I can even install an app from any source. That is my own risk.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

DMA is not a policy to support Users. There is no U of user or C of consumer ANYWHERE in that law. Only the M for market. Which means this is pure protectionism of European companies that can't compete with American companies. Again NO EU company is a "gatekeeper" according to the EU, even though some should absolutely be one.

Bytedance is a gatekeeper and it's Chinese. They aren't all American.

Either way, I don't care where they are from. If American companies want to operate in the EU, they do so under EU rules. American doesn't get to export laws and business practices.

 

[neuropsychguy]

I really, really, don't like that comparison. It's not making iPhone like Android, it's making Apple better. The fact that Android already did just means Google is ahead.

I don't like ecosystems, at all, and want to be able to mix-and-match.

Some changes might be better. Others would not be.

Is this a better situation?

“The company specifically highlighted requests from rivals seeking access to notification content and complete WiFi network histories – data that ‘even Apple doesn't see.’”

Sounds like that would open up a lot more data mining about users. That's not a consumer-friendly part of the law.

One problem with large, sweeping bills like the DMA is while aspects might be needed, there will be many negative unintended (or intended) consequences.

We already know companies like Spotify had the opportunity to offer input to the EU about what could be in the DMA. On one hand, that makes sense because Spotify understands technology better than random politicians, but they also compete with Apple and Google with music streaming. What this means is there were opportunities for companies to offer what amounted to a wish list from Apple that would benefit their company’s bottom line, likely at the expense of consumers.

I’m not saying Apple is without fault or doesn’t want to increase profits. What I’m saying is hopefully this process of court cases results in an improved DMA and improvements for consumers. Right now it’s unclear what will be a net benefit for consumers years down the road.

 

[SanderEvers]

Bytedance is a gatekeeper and it's Chinese. They aren't all American.

Either way, I don't care where they are from. If American companies want to operate in the EU, they do so under EU rules. American doesn't get to export laws and business practices.

I never said they are all American. They are all non-Euorpean. EU picking on Bytedance is also quite 'funny' because they are emporing Tencent (owner of Epic Games) with this legislation.

 

[germanbeer007]

I really, really, don't like that comparison.

You don't have to like an objective truth.

It's not making iPhone like Android, it's making Apple better.

Who said having multiple app stores is better? Probably not a majority of consumers but a loud minority.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Who said having multiple app stores is better?

I didn't say that, but I do think that it is.

..or just one app store, and let me install .ipa files that I download, as I see fit.

 

[germanbeer007]

I didn't say that, but I do think that it is.

So it's all about making iOS suit your tastes rather than what's good for the majority.

..or just one app store, and let me install .ipa files that I download, as I see fit.

That's literally making iOS more like Android.

 

[Fender2112]

I'm with Apple on this one. Apple has always been about integrating hardware and software to create a cohesive environment, The Walled Garden. There's a reason this appeal to millions of users.

It's kind of like telling Chevy their engines have to work in their competitor's vehicles.

 

[gpat]

As an European and lifelong Android user, I think that these mandates are pure garbage.
Except for the USB-C one, that was long overdue.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I'm with Apple on this one. Apple has always been about integrating hardware and software to create a cohesive environment, The Walled Garden. There's a reason this appeal to millions of users.

It's kind of like telling Chevy their engines have to work in their competitor's vehicles.

Terrible analogy. No one is telling Apple their parts need to work in other companies products. Exactly the opposite, which is why you have the freedom to buy non-Chevy tires for your Chevy. Or windshield wipers. Walk into any auto parts store for an example of how many 3rd party parts integrate with a Chevy car perfectly.

 

[d686546s]

And if you think "protecionism" isn't bad. It's actually illegal under EU law, a country isn't allowed to give market protection to a company. This would end in large fines from the EC (European Comission). But using this legislation they have reworked this "protection" into a new law.
Just like GDPR doesn't protect citizens privacy, because other legislation easily tramples it.

Well I'd expect cries of protectionism will receive limited sympathy considering requests for interoperability under the DMA can just as much be made by an American company against another American company (and the evidence suggests this is happening).

Plus the court of public opinion is probably not receptive while the US is imposing tariffs on polar bears because they have an unfair trade balance.

 

[ItsASpider]

Imagine advocating for apps being able to store your credit card numbers in a plaintext SQL database for digital goods. Idiots.

Imagine thinking that that's how any of this works...

If Apple's software is that fragile and insecure, maybe it just shouldn't exist in the first place.

Please let Apple release iPhone mirroring on macOS just like it was intended. Apple’s secret sauce is their tight integration, the ecosystem.


While EU costumers are happy to now be able to use a standard charging port such as USB-C, thanks to the push of EU, sometimes I think they’re going too far. And iPhone screen mirroring is fundamentally a continuity/handoff feature (never knew the difference between them).

It's worth noting that there is absolutely nothing in EU law that blocks Apple from making screen mirroring available in the EU. Just like there was absolutely nothing that blocked them from allowing PWAs, which they were also called out for by the EU itself. It's why its competitors - despite having to adhere to the same rules - do have these features.

DMA is not a policy to support Users. There is no U of user or C of consumer ANYWHERE in that law. Only the M for market. Which means this is pure protectionism of European companies that can't compete with American companies. Again NO EU company is a "gatekeeper" according to the EU, even though some should absolutely be one.

And if you think "protecionism" isn't bad. It's actually illegal under EU law, a country isn't allowed to give market protection to a company. This would end in large fines from the EC (European Comission). But using this legislation they have reworked this "protection" into a new law.
Just like GDPR doesn't protect citizens privacy, because other legislation easily tramples it.

See, that's the difference between the EU and the US. "Market" is not just "corporate intrests". "Market" in the DMA does mean consumers. But you knew that already. Just as you know that this "protectionism" rant is also bs. The DMA is, just like every other country has, just another anti-trust law. By your warped definition of what "protectionism" is, the EU wouldn't be allowed to have any anti-trust rules, and again, you know that that's just bs.

 

[germanbeer007]

Imagine thinking that that's how any of this works...

If Apple's software is that fragile and unsecure, maybe it just shouldn't exist in the first place.

It's not Apple's software I'm talking about and I'm literally a software developer so I know exactly how it works

 

[Stuwil]

I'm with Apple on this one. Apple has always been about integrating hardware and software to create a cohesive environment, The Walled Garden. There's a reason this appeal to millions of users.

It's kind of like telling Chevy their engines have to work in their competitor's vehicles.

Well that’s not true because nobody is telling apple to make iOS available on other companies devices