Apple is beginning to have its doubts about its future in Europe after publishing a detailed statement on how the European Union’s Digital Markets Act is affecting its work. The company stopped short of saying it will pull out of the region, but it did warn that EU users are receiving a weaker experience than the rest of the world.
In its September update, Apple said the law has created “concerning changes to how we design and deliver Apple products to our users in Europe.” The firm claimed these changes are slowing down product launches, lowering security standards and creating a fragmented experience for customers.
The European Commission, which oversees the DMA, is running a consultation on the law’s impact. Apple used its submission to warn that hardware launches could also be affected in the future if the current direction continues.
What Does The DMA Require From Apple?
The DMA was passed in 2022 to regulate companies classified as “gatekeepers.” Apple was labelled a gatekeeper because of its App Store and its reach in Europe. That means Apple must allow third-party app stores, alternative payment systems and equal access to some of its software features for rival hardware.
Apple has complied with the law on app stores, which now allows third-party marketplaces to sell iPhone apps. But the company said some other demands go against its privacy model. Apple’s argument is that features like Live Translation on AirPods and iPhone Mirroring cannot be safely opened up to other devices.
The firm said, “Our teams still have not found a secure way to bring this feature to non-Apple devices without putting all the data on a user’s iPhone at risk.” In practice, that has meant these features are delayed or absent in the EU while they are available elsewhere.
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Are Apple Products Falling Behind In Europe?
Apple has admitted EU users are already missing out on important updates. Features delayed include AirPods Live Translation, iPhone Mirroring and additions to Apple Maps such as Visited Places and Preferred Routes.
The company believes these delays are the result of EU regulators rejecting Apple’s proposals to protect privacy. It said releasing the features without cross-device support would result in fines or even bans on selling hardware in Europe.
That puts European iPhone and Mac owners in a different position from users in the United States or Asia. The company said bluntly, “The list of delayed features in the EU will probably get longer. And our EU users’ experience on Apple products will fall further behind.”
What New Risks Are EU Users Facing?
Apple also said in the statement they released that opening up its ecosystem has created risks that never existed before. The App Store was built as a single, central marketplace where all apps were checked. Under the DMA, users can now download from third-party stores and use outside payment systems.
According to Apple, that creates exposure to scams, harmful look-alike apps and even adult content and gambling services. One example is Hot Tub, an adult app released through AltStore earlier this year. The company said this type of content had never been allowed on iPhones before and brought about particular risks for children.
Apple also criticised rules that force it to share sensitive data with competitors. It said other companies have already asked for access to user notifications and WiFi history, which could expose personal movements and medical information. The company claims these requests increase the chance of surveillance.
Is Apple Planning To Leave The EU?
So far, Apple has not delayed any hardware launches in Europe. The company confirmed to regulators that new devices, including the iPhone 17 range, have arrived on schedule. 9to5Mac reported that Apple does not expect immediate disruption on hardware but cannot rule out problems in the longer term.
The statement stopped short of announcing any withdrawal. Instead, Apple is trying to put pressure on regulators to change the DMA or soften its demands. The firm said, “Over time, it’s become clear that the DMA isn’t helping markets. It’s making it harder to do business in Europe.”
That leaves open the question of whether Apple could one day reduce its European presence, or completely leave… Time will well.
