All articles tagged with #digital markets act
EU General Court upheld Apple’s designation as a DMA gatekeeper for App Store and iOS, rejected treating its five App Stores as separate services and dismissed Apple’s interoperability challenge as inadmissible, strengthening Brussels’ enforcement of the Digital Markets Act amid ongoing Apple–EU tensions.
Europe’s Court of Justice has dismissed Google’s appeal, confirming the 2018 ruling that fined the company for bundling its Search and Chrome with Android. The final penalty stands at about €4.1 billion ($4.7B), down from an initial €4.34B, with no further avenues for appeal. The case highlights the EU’s scrutiny of Android’s licensing practices, while regulators also eye the Digital Markets Act to push open access and data-sharing across platforms.
The European Commission says Apple’s decision not to launch Siri AI in the EU is entirely Apple’s, accusing the company of seeking a blanket exemption from interoperability obligations under the DMA rather than proposing a compliant solution. Regulators contend Apple failed to develop interoperable options that meet EU privacy and security standards, despite Apple’s claims that regulators refused to engage on proposals. Consequently, Siri AI won’t be available in the EU with iOS 27, though Apple says it hopes to bring Siri to Europe in the future without providing a timeline.
Apple says the new Siri AI in iOS 27 won’t launch on iPhone or iPad in the EU at the same time due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Siri AI will still rollout on Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and Apple Watch in Europe, with no timeline yet for iOS/iPadOS in the EU. The EU requires parity with third‑party AI capabilities and strong privacy safeguards, leading Apple to propose a “Trusted System Agent” that regulators rejected. Apple and EU regulators remain in talks without a set timeline for the EU.
The European Commission, under the Digital Markets Act, has opened a probe into Android’s AI integration and is demanding that Google open Gemini to third-party AI services, grant system-wide access to data and APIs for running local models, and create new APIs—an idea Google says would threaten device autonomy and privacy. A final decision is due by July 27, with penalties up to 10% of global revenue possible; changes would roll out gradually and might not extend outside the EU.
Apple’s tightly controlled iPhone ecosystem has drawn decades of antitrust scrutiny—from the Microsoft-era case to Epic’s litigation and EU DMA pressure—with some concessions (like limited third-party app stores) in certain regions, but sweeping reforms remain slow and the fight over Apple’s App Store power shows no sign of ending as regulators and tech navigate the AI era.
Apple criticizes EU digital laws, claiming they compromise user safety by increasing fraud and scams, and warns that regulations like the Digital Markets Act could expose users to security risks, amid ongoing tensions over tech regulation and competition.
Epic Games acknowledges Apple's improvements in reducing the steps to install third-party app stores on iOS, from 15 to 6, as a response to EU regulations, but criticizes ongoing anti-competitive policies like junk fees and discriminatory practices that violate the Digital Markets Act.
Microsoft has agreed to extend free security updates for Windows 10 in the European Economic Area following complaints and regulatory pressure, while other regions still face the October 14 deadline to upgrade or pay for support, amid concerns over planned obsolescence and consumer choice.
Apple is delaying the rollout of certain features in Europe due to challenges in complying with the EU's Digital Markets Act, citing concerns over user privacy and security. Features like AI-powered Live Translation, iPhone Mirroring, and others are impacted, although some interoperability features are progressing. Apple is working to meet DMA requirements but warns that more delays may occur, and it has called for the regulation to be repealed, citing potential impacts on user privacy and its ecosystem.
Apple is criticizing EU regulators for challenging its closed ecosystem and the Digital Markets Act, which aims to increase interoperability and consumer choice, while Apple argues these rules threaten its innovative, integrated user experience. The company has delayed certain features in Europe, citing privacy and security concerns, and is pushing back against regulatory efforts that it claims undermine innovation and user experience.
Apple revoked the EU distribution rights for the iTorrent BitTorrent client, which was available through third-party app stores due to EU law requiring more app installation freedom. The revocation came without clear explanation from Apple, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Apple is appealing a 500 million euro EU fine for allegedly violating the Digital Markets Act by restricting app developers from informing users about outside purchase options. The company has made some changes to its App Store rules and fee structure in response to the ruling, but disputes the EU's interpretation of steering and business operation mandates. The appeal argues that the EU's decision exceeds legal requirements and imposes confusing business terms.
Apple has appealed a €500 million EU fine, criticizing the regulator's App Store rules as unlawful and claiming the decision oversteps legal boundaries. The EU fined Apple for steering users to outside purchases, prompting Apple to modify its policies in June, including a tiered commission structure and more flexible promotion of out-of-app payments. Apple argues these changes are confusing and beyond legal requirements, continuing its ongoing legal battles over App Store practices.
Apple has introduced new tiered App Store fee structures and features in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act and avoid further penalties, including a basic tier with limited features at 5% commission and a full-feature tier at 13%, along with a new Core Technology Commission fee on outside purchases. These changes follow a €500 million EU fine and are part of Apple's effort to address regulatory concerns, with plans to move to a single business model in the EU by 2026.