Brussels — Apple is mounting a legal fight against the European Union over new interoperability requirements that the company says threaten user privacy and product quality. The dispute centers on the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces major “gatekeeper” platforms like Apple to make their systems more accessible to competitors.
Under the law, Apple must allow third-party devices and apps to integrate with core iOS features, including notifications, data transfer, and accessory pairing. EU officials argue that the rules are designed to improve competition, reduce consumer lock-in, and encourage innovation across the digital market.
Apple contends that the rules go too far. The company has warned that compliance has already forced delays to features in Europe, including iPhone Mirroring, Live Translation for AirPods, and enhanced Maps tools. Apple says sharing sensitive data to enable interoperability could create new vulnerabilities, undermining privacy and security for users.
The European Commission, however, remains firm. Regulators say the law is essential to stop dominant players from limiting competition and insist that consumer benefits outweigh Apple’s objections. Non-compliance could carry fines amounting to billions of euros.
Apple has filed an appeal with the EU’s General Court in Luxembourg, calling the DMA’s interoperability mandates “deeply flawed.” The case is expected to become a precedent-setting test of how governments regulate global tech giants.
For European consumers, the standoff has already had consequences. Certain Apple features are rolling out later in Europe than in other regions, while others remain unavailable altogether. Analysts warn the situation could widen the gap between the European and global Apple experience.
With regulators and Apple entrenched, the outcome of this battle will shape not only the future of Apple’s ecosystem, but also the broader relationship between governments and the world’s most powerful tech companies.
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