Key Points:
- Apple’s new AI features, including Apple Intelligence, may be delayed in the EU.
- The Digital Markets Act (DMA) raises security concerns for Apple.
- Apple seeks collaboration with the EU to find a solution.
Apple’s grand unveiling of Apple Intelligence at WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) might be met with a lukewarm reception in the European Union. The tech giant is expressing reservations about launching the new AI suite and other features due to the recently enacted Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple contends that the DMA’s interoperability requirements, which aim to promote competition by making platforms work with third-party apps and services, could potentially compromise the security of its products and consequently, user privacy.
“We are concerned that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security,” Apple stated to Bloomberg.
This potential conflict has overshadowed the rollout of Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring to macOS Sequoia, and enhanced SharePlay Screen Sharing features in the EU. While the exact nature of the DMA violation remains unclear, Apple’s stance could leave hundreds of millions of European users missing out on these new functionalities.
However, a glimmer of hope remains. Apple hasn’t reached a final decision and is willing to work with the European Commission to find a solution. “We are committed to collaborating with the European Commission in an attempt to find a solution that would enable us to deliver these features to our EU customers without compromising their safety,” affirmed Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz in a statement to The Verge.
This situation highlights the ongoing tension between fostering competition and safeguarding user privacy in the digital age. Whether Apple and the EU can bridge the divide and deliver Apple Intelligence to European users hinges on their ability to find common ground.
