The European Union today issued a warning to Apple, demanding that the tech giant open its iOS operating system to rival companies and third-party developers or face significant fines. The move is part of the EU’s efforts to enforce the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace.
European Commission launches two “specification” procedures
The European Commission has initiated two “specification procedures” to guide Apple towards compliance with its interoperability obligations under the DMA. EU Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said:
This is the first time we have used specification procedures under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations, through constructive dialogue.
The first procedure targets iOS features primarily used by connected devices such as smartwatches, headphones and virtual reality headsets. The EU intends to specify how Apple must provide effective interoperability with features such as notifications, device pairing and connectivity.
The second procedure examines the transparency, timeliness, and fairness of Apple’s process for handling interoperability requests from developers and third parties for iOS and iPadOS. Currently, Apple offers limited access to some iOS features such as the Siri voice assistant and restricts access to the Apple Pay contactless payment system.
A deadline of 6 months to comply, under penalty of heavy fines
The EU has given Apple 6 months to address these concerns. If the company fails to comply, it could face fines of up to 10% of its annual turnover under the DMA provisions.
The warning comes as Apple has already relaxed its App Store rules for developers and pledged to open its NFC chip to third parties in response to the DMA. However, the EU’s action suggests that these measures may not be enough to fully comply with the new regulations.
The Commission will now communicate its preliminary findings to Apple, explaining the measures that the gatekeeper must implement to ensure effective compliance with the DMA. A non-confidential summary of the findings and the measures envisaged will be published to allow third parties to comment. Apple will therefore have to show goodwill in the coming months to avoid sanctions and adapt to the new European rules in favour of a more open ecosystem on iOS.
