Apple announced a delay in releasing iOS 18’s flagship AI features in the European Union, citing concerns over the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations. Affected features include Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring on the Mac, and SharePlay Screen Sharing.
Apple says the DMA’s interoperability requirements could compromise user privacy and data security. However, everyone’s favorite fruit company did not provide specific details.
The DMA, enacted in 2022, was designed to foster fair competition by curbing anti-competitive practices by major tech companies. It prevents them from suppressing smaller competitors, favoring their own services, and locking customers’ data into their platforms. It also requires transparency regarding data usage.
Apple has previously blamed regulations for limiting features available to EU users. Earlier this year, it cited the DMA when it initially planned to remove the ability to add home screen web apps in Europe, a decision it later reversed following user requests. Similarly, Google removed third-party apps and watch faces from European devices, attributing the move to new regulatory requirements.
This delay comes as Apple faces increasing scrutiny from EU regulators. In March, the European Commission opened a formal investigation into Apple’s compliance with the DMA, with potential charges expected in the coming weeks. Earlier this year, Apple was fined €1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) for preventing app developers from informing iOS users about cheaper subscription options outside of the Apple ecosystem.
I’m wondering how this ends. Are EU regulators blissfully paving a road to a bifurcated world of AI-haves and AI-have-nots, or are they justified in limiting the power of Big Tech? If I was forced to guess, I’d argue that the EU’s stringent regulations will overly restrict its citizens’ ability to adapt in an emerging world of co-intelligence. You know… the road to hell, etc.
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it. This work was created with the assistance of various generative AI models.