The European Commission has initiated enforcement proceedings against Apple, citing the tech giant’s non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). As a designated gatekeeper under the DMA, Apple is required to ensure interoperability with other devices and services. The commission has given Apple six months to implement the necessary measures to achieve compliance, warning that failure to do so may result in substantial fines.
One key area of focus for the commission is the connectivity of iOS devices with third-party products, such as smartwatches, headphones, and virtual reality headsets. The commission aims to establish clear guidelines for Apple to provide seamless interoperability, enabling non-Apple devices to easily pair and connect with iPhones and receive notifications. Additionally, the commission will examine Apple’s process for addressing developer requests for third-party interoperability with iOS and iPadOS.
EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager stated, “Today, we’re using the DMA’s specification proceedings to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue. Our goal is to ensure fair and open digital markets, and effective interoperability plays a crucial role in this. This process will provide clarity for developers, third parties, and Apple, and we’ll continue to engage with Apple and consult with third parties to ensure the proposed measures are practical and effective.”
The commission’s move follows its preliminary findings in June, which found Apple to be in breach of DMA rules for restricting App Store developers from informing users about alternative payment options. Apple has since made several changes to its system to comply with the DMA, including opening up iOS and iPadOS to third-party app stores and granting developers access to its NFC technology. However, the company has also withheld certain features from European users due to DMA rules.
In response to the commission’s enforcement proceedings, Apple stated that it has developed ways to allow developers to request additional iOS and iPadOS interoperability while maintaining user security. The company warned that compromising its security measures would put its European users at risk. If Apple fails to comply with the commission’s measures, it may face an investigation and potentially a fine of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
