Since it came into effect three years ago, the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has sought to curb anti-competitive behavior of major technological platforms, primarily by making it easier for users to switch platforms and move data between devices and apps.
Of course, Big Tech wasn’t happy with that. And now Apple is shaking against regulations. The company on Thursday denounced the enforcement of the EU’s DMA for delaying the launch of several EU features, saying the rules are exposed to new risks and “leading worse experiences” for BLOC’s Apple customers by reducing options.
iPhone makers have also asked the European Commission to abolish DMA until it is “suitable for the legislative means of purpose, and therefore more appropriately,” the Financial Times reported.
DMA claims that as companies require companies to build interoperability with third-party devices and applications, Apple needs to delay some of the EU features, including AirPods’ new live translation capabilities, iPhone mirroring on Mac, and preferred routes for locations and maps visited. The list of delayed features is “probably longer,” the company said.
As the company frames, DMA interoperability requirements are difficult to square to fit the company’s commitment to user privacy. The law requires companies to open an ecosystem with their competitors by making their own apps and features compatible with third-party hardware and software. However, Apple says it’s difficult for teams to find ways to do so without compromising user data.
“We have proposed changes to these features to protect your data, but so far the Commission has rejected our proposal, and according to the Commission, it is illegal to share these features under the DMA until they are brought to other companies’ products.
The Apple post comes months after the EU fined more than $550 million for violating the DMA by requiring the EU to trade payments for apps and services within Apple’s ecosystem. The company appealed this decision.
TechCrunch Events
San Francisco
|
October 27th-29th, 2025
Apple also argues that by allowing users to install apps from third-party app stores and use other payment mechanisms as required by DMA, there is an increased risk of fraud, malware and fraud against users.
“It’s been more than a year since the Digital Markets Act was implemented. In the meantime, it has become clear that DMA has led to worse experiences for Apple users in the EU. It puts them at new risks and confuses the simple and seamless way Apple products work together.
E-commerce spokesman Thomas Regnier is not surprised at how Apple will abolish DMA in Apple’s lobbying papers in order to remove DMA and remove it. “This encouraged DMA compliance when it came up with a specification decision that undermines the company’s narrative of wanting to work fully with the committee, and told (Apple) how it could be complied with ease.
“DMA does not require companies to lower privacy or security standards. It’s about giving users more options, opening up European markets, and allowing businesses to compete on a level ground,” added Regnier.
