EU Antitrust Regulators to Spell Out How Apple Must Open Up to Rivals to Abide by Digital Markets Act
The EU will specify how Apple will provide effective interoperability with functionalities such as notifications, device pairing and connectivity.
Photo Credit: Apple
Apple says that its Apple Intelligence features will come to the EU in 2025
Highlights
- Apple will have to open up its closed ecosystem to abide by the EU's DMA
- The European Commission will show Apple how to comply with the DMA
- Apple said it will continue to work constructively with the Commission
EU antitrust regulators launched proceedings on Thursday to ensure that Apple complies with landmark rules requiring it to open up its closed ecosystem to rivals or risk a possible hefty fine.
Under the so-called specification proceedings, the European Commission will spell out what Apple has to do to abide by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect last year.
"Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue," EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
- Apple Intelligence to Be Available in German and More Languages Next Year
The EU competition enforcer said the first proceeding targets iOS connectivity features and functionalities for smartwatches, headphones, virtual reality headsets and other internet-connected devices.
It will specify how Apple will provide effective interoperability with functionalities such as notifications, device pairing and connectivity.
The second proceeding concerns how Apple addresses interoperability requests submitted by developers and third parties for iOS and iPadOS, with the company told ensure a transparent, timely, and fair process.
- Xiaomi Captures Second Spot in Global Smartphone Sales: Report
The Commission aims to wrap up both proceedings within six months.
Apple said it will continue to work constructively with the Commission but also warned of the risks.
"Undermining the protections we've built over time would put European consumers at risk, giving bad actors more ways to access their devices and data," it said in a statement.
- Google Working on Cross-Platform Encryption After iOS 18 Adds RCS Support
Apple risks fines of as much as 10% of its annual global turnover if it fails to comply with the DMA.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
- Apple Watch Users Can Now the Change the Default Ringtone
- You Will Now Have to Pay More for iPhone 16 Pro Battery Replacement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)