EU Has 'No Intention' to Repeal DMA Following Apple Challenge

[MacRumors]

The European Commission has no plans to scrap the Digital Markets Act despite Apple's complaints that the law causes a worse experience for European iPhone owners. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is an EU law that regulates how tech companies like Apple operate. It includes rules meant to prevent companies from unfairly favoring their own services, blocking competitors, and limiting user choice.

In a statement shared by France24, EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier said that the EC was "not surprised" by Apple's filing, and that it had "absolutely no intention" of getting rid of the DMA.

Earlier today, Apple urged EU regulators to repeal the DMA, and suggested that if the law is not repealed, the EC should use an independent European agency to evaluate how the law is affecting EU consumers.

In a statement on its website, Apple also pleaded its case to EU users. Apple said the DMA's rules put EU iPhone owners at risk of malware, fraud, and invasions of privacy. Apple said that the DMA has forced it to delay key features like Live Translation, iPhone Mirroring, and the Visited Places and Preferred Routes features in the Maps app.

"Apple has simply contested every little bit of the DMA since its entry into application," said Regnier. He said that it is up to the EC to choose how to enforce the DMA, and who will enforce it. There is "nothing in the DMA that requires companies to lower their privacy standards, their security standards," he added.

Apple has already received one 500 million euro fine for restricting app developers from informing users about purchase options available outside of the App Store. Apple appealed the fine in July, and in June, it also launched a challenge of the Digital Markets Act interoperability rules. The interoperability requirements prohibit Apple from releasing features on its platforms that are not accessible to third-party accessories like smartwatches and headphones.

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: EU Has 'No Intention' to Repeal DMA Following Apple Challenge

 

[rizzo41999]

Europe always preferred corner cafes to high tech innovation. They won't learn until it's too late but hey, Spotify dominates streaming and that's ok...

 

[crees!]

Where’s the “hold my nose” emoji 😷

 

[vertsix]

GOOD. They shouldn't give in to this strong-arm move by Apple.

 

[applicious84]

Earlier today, Apple urged EU regulators to repeal the DMA, and suggested that if the law is not repealed, the EC should use an independent European agency to evaluate how the law is affecting EU consumers.

I mean why not. They'll find out how the law is affecting EU consumers...and making their experience better. Maybe it will help other countries ensure their citizens get better experiences too. Good for Apple for making this recommendation, lol

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

🚨 "Privacy and security" 🚨

 

[seinman]

The US may not be in the best shape politically right now, but I’m sure glad I don’t live in the EU

 

[The Chosen One]

The US may not be in the best state right now, but I’m sure glad I don’t live in the EU

Yes, having people look out for the interest of the citizens sure is odd huh.
While the DMA could use some tweaking the base idea is solid.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Nor should they.

Bravo for quickly responding and firmly pushing back.

 

[q64ceo]

I think its rather sad that Apple won't bring live translation for headphones to Europe because they would be forced to allow it on other headsets not produced by Apple.

Apple doesn't make the best headphones per price.

 

[klasma]

Full video from the EC press briefing Q&A: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-277703

 

[Robert.Walter]

I live in Europe and am not comfortable with the EU knocking a hole in the security of the Walled Garden.

The more it profits developers to list outside the AppStore, the less variety users will find inside it.

Being forced to download from outside removes the additional security apple’s vetting processes provided.

In addition there is no guarantee that, nor protection against, a clean download from outside won’t be replaced with a corrupted one at the developer’s discretion. (App Store wasn’t 100% but we lose this extra protection if we can only get a desired app from a 3rd party non App Store site).

And when these rogue apps do damage the EU will 1) blame Apple, and 2) offer no compensation to injured users for a problem they the eu facilitated.

I say this as a person who is a big supporter if the EU project.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple doesn't make the best headphones per price.

Good point!

Exactly why consumers should be able to have all the features of their phone while using headphones of their choice or price preference.

 

[Luap]

Good point!

Exactly why consumers should be able to have all the features of their phone while using headphones of their choice or price preference.

Perhaps the EU should demand the return of the 3.5mm headphone socket then

 

[JPack]

You basically set boundaries or you get knocked over. Makes sense for them to create and enforce DMA.

 

[con2apple]

At the same time, EU users will receive another year of free Windows 10 security updates due to the DMA. Meanwhile, these updates will cost $ 30 in the rest of the world.

Why?
Because Microsoft is a gatekeeper and has apparently arbitrarily set the hardware limits for Windows 11.

In major backtracking move, Microsoft makes Windows 10 extended security updates free for users in the EEA

In a major move, Microsoft is making access to Windows 10's extended support updates free for regions in the European Economic Area. No Microsoft Account or cloud backup required.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Etc_]

Really love this EU criticism on MacRumors! As far as I know, several other countries worldwide are planning or evaluating similar or other regulations, including Japan and South Korea. But it seems people here love to bash the EU. Interestingly, when Apple immediately complies with China’s strict regulations (which, for example, caused the loss of permanent AirDrop for everybody), nobody seems to care. Truly ridiculous hypocrisy.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Good point!

Exactly why consumers should be able to have all the features of their phone while using headphones of their choice or price preference.

Maybe Apple doesn’t want to go to the trouble of trying to validate accuracy and performance of its translation function with every tom Rick and harry brand of headphone.

This would seem the very reason they limit it. And if you really want it that badly, buy the Apple gear and consider it a subscription for a service that also provides you some pretty nice hardware.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Spotify dominates streaming and that's ok...

Interesting to bring up Spotify. Apple Music is clearly the problematic service - look up a list of streaming services by when they started and stopped. Prior to Apple Music, several launched every year and few died. In the several years since, I think only one launched and most of the old ones died.

So the launch of Apple Music was clearly the catalyst that killed innovation/competition in the field. But it's interesting to realize that Spotify, though they did nothing wrong, also saw some benefit as most of their competitors disappeared and as they stopped having a stream of new competitors to take on.

 

[macpro2000]

The US may not be in the best shape politically right now, but I’m sure glad I don’t live in the EU

Just think of what could have been though..Yikes.

 

[JPack]

Really love this EU criticism on MacRumors! As far as I know, several other countries worldwide are planning or evaluating similar or other regulations, including Japan and South Korea. But it seems people here love to bash the EU. Interestingly, when Apple immediately complies with China’s strict regulations (which, for example, caused the loss of permanent AirDrop), nobody seems to care. Truly ridiculous hypocrisy.

Americans seem to think EU betrayed them. They feel EU should give up everything, regardless of costs or innovation.

If you look at China, imagine if they didn’t set their own boundaries. There would be no Huawei, ByteDance, DeepSeek, WeChat, or any domestic control of tech. The EU is in that position right now. They have half a billion people but zero control over their tech.

 

[timber]

Remember that time Apple suggested that China should change it's laws?

 

[GMShadow]

At the same time, EU users will receive another year of free Windows 10 security updates due to the DMA. Meanwhile, these updates will cost $ 30 in the rest of the world.

Why?
Because Microsoft is a gatekeeper and has apparently arbitrarily set the hardware limits for Windows 11.

In major backtracking move, Microsoft makes Windows 10 extended security updates free for users in the EEA

In a major move, Microsoft is making access to Windows 10's extended support updates free for regions in the European Economic Area. No Microsoft Account or cloud backup required.

www.windowscentral.com

Your own link disproves the $30 fee, lol. Pretty much anyone can get them with a few minutes effort, supported by Microsoft.


The problem Apple has is that they don't get that the EU wants a worse experience overall. That's their raison d'être. They are not there to benefit the native peoples of the land.

 

[GMShadow]

Apple immediately complies with China’s strict regulations (which, for example, caused the loss of permanent AirDrop for everybody), nobody seems to care. Truly ridiculous hypocrisy.

That was coming to everyone regardless of what the ChiComs wanted because of the people airdropping bomb threats and similar to all the passengers on airplanes. 1-2 times was bad enough, but it was about a week away from becoming a TikTok trend and starting a *********.

 

[AlexESP]

Really love this EU criticism on MacRumors! As far as I know, several other countries worldwide are planning or evaluating similar or other regulations, including Japan and South Korea. But it seems people here love to bash the EU. Interestingly, when Apple immediately complies with China’s strict regulations (which, for example, caused the loss of permanent AirDrop for everybody), nobody seems to care. Truly ridiculous hypocrisy.

Well, no one *seems* to care because we know how China works. It’s good to have higher freedom standards than China, and protest against violations that are not so fundamental, but violations nevertheless. Obviously Europe is very far from that, but not in the right direction. Also applies to the US, and almost all western countries.