Apple Warns UK Risks Feature Delays Under Proposed Competition Rules

[MacRumors]

Apple has warned that UK users could face delayed product features if the country's regulators proceed with "EU-style rules" that seek to make it easier for smaller firms to compete with big tech companies.

Apple told the BBC that proposed regulations from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) "are bad for users and bad for developers," and pointed to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which it says has already caused feature delays for European users, as evidence of regulatory overreach.

Apple Intelligence, which was announced at WWDC 2024, was initially scheduled to launch globally in September 2024, but it was withheld from EU users that year while Apple figured out how to make the new functionality compatible with the DMA's rules. Apple Intelligence eventually launched in the EU in March 2025.

The warning comes as the CMA prepares its final decision on whether to force Apple and Google to open their mobile platforms. The regulator has already established that the companies control "around 90-100% of UK mobile devices," creating an "effective duopoly."

The proposed changes would require Apple to allow app developers to steer users toward alternative payment systems outside the App Store, undercutting Apple's 30% commission model. The CMA also wants improved interoperability for digital wallets and smartwatches.

Apple argues these measures "undermine privacy and security protections" and force it to "give away technology for free to foreign competitors." The company claims it has received over 100 data access requests from rivals under similar EU rules.

The CMA has already rejected Apple's characterization, insisting that UK regulations differ from EU laws and instead focus on specific interoperability aspects rather than broad platform access. The regulator says its approach will help UK developers innovate without compromising security.

The CMA has until October to finalize its strategic market status designations. In the meantime, it has invited stakeholders to submit feedback on the proposed intervention roadmap.

Article Link: Apple Warns UK Risks Feature Delays Under Proposed Competition Rules

 

[germanbeer007]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

UK government is rampant in doing anything it can to make things harder for everyone.

Watch them do it anyway, and give zero ****s about its impact.

 

[Pezimak]

Personally I support this from my impression, sorry but giant US tech firms do not get to dictate the rules, they follow them, and it is a fact they tend to crush the little guy. American capitalism ideology doesn’t always match capitalist ideology of other nations. And hence the laws and rules are made as such. Apple needs to be a global player here.

EU anti competition laws are very good and very strong. Of course it is not perfect, but it is better than nothing. We would not have USB C on iPhones if it wasn’t for EU anti competition laws for instance. Naturally I do not trust the British government one bit, and I hope they don’t mess it all up……. But I expect they will.

 

[jdavid_rp]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

EU also gave us Apple users a unique charging port for all the ecosystem .

Also for EU users now we have more privacy tools (like the one allowing you to download all the data Apple has on you), 3 years of warranty and third party apps stores, which I use and yet no “virus” got into my device.

I would also add that the new easier system of replacing batteries (with the low current tool instead of glue) was also inspired by EU regulations.

 

[andrewxgx]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

EU made the entire world realize big tech is selling their data like hot cakes.

which is also funny, as apples equivalent of cookie pop up (track / do not track question) is somehow a great privacy feature?

 

[dindjarin]

The regulator has already established that the companies control "around 90-100% of UK mobile devices," creating an "effective duopoly."

Wow, money well spent. We need a regulator to establish that the two mobile operating systems control 100% of mobile devices. Of course, in the UK, because as you’re all aware, this isn’t the case in other countries.

 

[Pezimak]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

You can always not have them and allow websites to follow you and track your personal data and sell it for profit?

 

[IdaReggaeMon]

threatening to withhold Apple Intelligence. 🤣🤣.

 

[SilmarilFinder]

The proposed changes would require Apple to allow app developers to steer users toward alternative payment systems outside the App Store, undercutting Apple's 30% commission model. The CMA also wants improved interoperability for digital wallets and smartwatches.

I think that was the whole point. That sweet 30%.

I’m not entirely sure how to feel about alternative payment systems and wallets though. It sounds good on paper, but in reality it’ll probably just fragment the market and we’ll all end up with 10 different wallet apps. That sort of defeats the idea of convenience. As long as Apple’s App Store and Wallet stay as options alongside the rest, then at least the customer wins.

On the smartwatch side, Apple has no excuse. Putting up artificial barriers that stop people using their watches properly is nonsense. There’s zero logical reason why we shouldn’t be able to pick which apps deliver notifications. Right now it’s all on or all off, which is less about “security” and more about keeping the walls nice and high.

 

[McNoise]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

Better to shoot yourself in the foot than in the head, because you live in a country where big tech companies have no rules at all and they can do whatever they want with your data without your consent ...

 

[UliBaer]

So basically the same FUD they responded to the EU regulations... 🥱

 

[Shirasaki]

EU made the entire world realize big tech is selling their data like hot cakes.

which is also funny, as apples equivalent of cookie pop up (track / do not track question) is somehow a great privacy feature?

Double standard in full view. Apple does something - good. EU does the same - bad.

Better to shoot yourself in the foot than in the head, because you live in a country where big tech companies have no rules at all and they can do whatever they want with your data without your consent ...

Apparently those people beg Apple to help them protecting their data from big agencies and other tech companies from being sold, disclosed and stolen. Apple is the holy grail of what tech companies should do, at least on the surface.

Apple has warned that UK users could face delayed product features if the country's regulators proceed with "EU-style rules" that seek to make it easier for smaller firms to compete with big tech companies.

I thought Apple didn’t need to fear “small firms” because they are small. Why Apple fear them? Isn’t this how free market works? Everyone plays fair and square? Or I am wrong all along?

 

[Luap]

2016 referendum or not, the current UK gov is still very much in bed with the EU. So don't be surprised to see the UK continue to conveniently align with EU rules and regulations..

 

[Paddle1]

Apple Intelligence, which was announced at WWDC 2024, was initially scheduled to launch globally in September 2024, but it was withheld from EU users that year...

To be fair, Apple Intelligence continues to be withheld from everyone.

 

[JamesMay82]

I think they are unfairly targeting Apple in this because they don't appear to going after eBay or Amazon whose seller fees can be over 50%. The same for UK retailers as well... if suppliers want to be on their shelves they normally have to pay for the privilege and sometimes to high amounts.

So while 30% Is higher it's certainly cheaper than others.

 

[Darrensk8]

And the game continues. Oh apple

 

[JoeSilver]

Apple Intelligence, which was announced at WWDC 2024, was initially scheduled to launch globally in September 2024, but it was withheld from EU users that year while Apple figured out how to make the new functionality compatible with the DMA's rules. Apple Intelligence eventually launched in the EU in March 2025.

6 months without enjoying Apple Intelligence. It must have been a nightmare...

 

[211]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

EU didn't give us cookie popups. The purpose of GDPR is for people to have more control over their personal data. Websites are not complying as they made it hard to reject non-essential cookies, or easy just to accept them. Some even ignore your preferences. Even MacRumors fails to comply properly

 

[Mr. Nice]

The CEOs of US Big Tech companies (Whether it's Apple, Microsoft, Google, Meta, or Amazon):
they never tire of continuing to tell their fairy tales.

Everyone could read or hear about it especially in the US:
Documents in court that showed Steve Jobs was concerned about the lock-in effect.
A Schiller who allegedly doesn't know how much Apple earns from the App Store.
An Apple manager who lies under oath...

 

[SuperTricolor]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

I fail to understand why cookie warnings, competition, etc is bad for users. Apple is basically saying that they do not want competition

 

[martinsmac]

I'm trying to remember a new feature in any Apple software that I really care about. They've been sweating the assets for years.

 

[thejsa]

EU shot themselves in the foot. Hopefully UK won't follow suit.

Just remember, EU gave us cookie popups. They have no idea what they're doing.

Ad tech gave us cookie pop ups; and many of them are either minimally compliant or not at all.

 

[Happy_John]

6 months without enjoying Apple Intelligence. It must have been a nightmare...

As someone based in the EU, it made absolutely no difference whatsoever.

 

[pdmpolishing]

Tell Apple where to go. They’re not the only company in the world.