Apple, the tech giant with the restrained iPhone and iPad operating environment, has been gently prompted (or maybe not) by the European Union. The EU watchdogs say that Apple must relax its control over its iPhone and iPad operating systems, and allow competitors to share technologies as part of a single platform or risk heavy penalties.
What’s Going On?
Under the DMA proposed by the EU, companies like Apple must make their platforms interoperable with others and integrate with them. Apple, as you’d expect, is cautious. The Cupertino-based company insists that tight control over what happens hampers security while the EU says that this time those rules were relaxed a little.
The EU has given Apple six months to sort itself out and come to terms with these changes and change the rules of the game. Not else might Apple be contemplating some serious penalties – up to 10% of its international revenue. And if you know anything about Apple’s revenue, you know that 10% is a BIG number.
Why Is This Happening?
Why this fight now, and why is the EU choosing to bring it with Apple? Thus, it goes down to what’s known as interoperability. In layman’s terms, what they are demanding is that Apple’s systems be fully compatible with other technologies out in the marketplace. The DMA has one of the largest objectives to guarantee that other developers and companies should be able to utilize some important principles of Apple, including the functions Siri voice commands and the payment chip. It is about the openness of the tech world, competition, and opportunities for innovative ideas to thrive.
Apple had something to say about it, as EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager explained that today’s announcement is the first time that the EU has had to use these specific regulations in order to apply pressure on Apple. According to the EU, opening up the system is preferable because it will allow consumers to have more options and easier access to various technologies.
Apple’s Response
They’ve stated that they have developed methods by which developers can ask for more integration but they still have to safeguard users. Apple’s counterclaim is that opening up its operating system too far would pose a danger to consumers.
To make things more interesting, at the beginning of this month Apple Company came out with their new model of iPhone known as iPhone 16. But it’s jam-packed with fresh shiny metal that fits in the new hardware and new AI promises, some of the stuff won’t be available in the EU because of these new DMA rules. Adaptive features such as Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing are still not available in Europe and other regions, despite people’s disappointment.
What Happens Next?
All that Apple has to do for now is to determine how it’s going to adjust to these new demands set by the EU in the next six months. They may not do so, otherwise, the EU together with some members may escalate the situation by bringing forth a full-blown probe that could seriously cost Apple a lot of its wealth. Apple is also currently in another probe for App Store rules for developers so the company is really in deep on a lot of fronts.
In short, if Apple wanted to celebrate then they may have got a small increase in their stocks after this news but they still have a way to go. The EU has certainly sent out a message that they are not joking with the regulation of creating a fair ecosystem for the technology companies including Apple and there might be some rude surprises in store for Apple.
What does this mean for you?
As a consumer it could actually mean good news in he long run. If Apple does accede to the EU’s demands, of course, we might have iPhones and iPads that are even more harmonious with apps and technologies from other companies.
