The European Commission has intensified its regulatory push against Apple, requiring the company to open iOS to third-party developers and device makers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The Commission’s ruling demands that Apple provide competitors with access to key system functionalities, including notifications, NFC payments, and file-sharing services.
If Apple does not comply by March 2025, it could face escalating fines reaching billions of dollars. Apple has opposed the move, arguing that these changes would undermine user privacy and security.
EU Pushes Apple to Comply with Interoperability Rules
The European Commission’s ruling outlines several legally binding interoperability requirements that Apple must implement:
- Allowing third-party apps to integrate with iOS notifications.
- Opening NFC functionality to alternative payment providers, challenging Apple Pay’s dominance.
- Permitting non-Apple devices to use file-sharing features like AirDrop and AirPlay.
According to the Commission, these changes are necessary to promote fair competition and prevent Apple from using its platform dominance to exclude rivals. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of Apple’s global annual revenue, and continued non-compliance could lead to penalties increasing to 20%.
One of Apple’s fiercest battles under the DMA involves Meta’s aggressive demands for deeper iOS integration. The social media giant has filed 15 separate requests—more than any other company—seeking access to core iOS services for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.
Apple previously opposed Meta’s demands, warning that granting this level of access would allow Meta to:
“Read on a user’s device all of their messages and emails, see every phone call they make or receive, track every app that they use, scan all of their photos, look at their files and calendar events, log all of their passwords, and more.”
Meta has dismissed Apple’s privacy concerns as a competitive tactic, with a spokesperson stating:
“Every time Apple is called out for its anticompetitive behavior, they defend themselves on privacy grounds that have no basis in reality.”
Beyond messaging services, Meta has also requested broader integration with iOS authentication systems and cross-platform login capabilities. These additions would give Meta greater access to user data and app interactions, raising further security concerns for Apple.
How Apple is Trying to Comply (and Why It May Not Be Enough)
Despite its resistance, Apple has taken initial steps toward compliance with the DMA. In iOS 17.4, the company introduced region-specific changes for EU users, including:
- Third-party app stores and sideloading, allowing users to install apps outside the App Store.
- Alternative payment systems, enabling developers to offer direct transactions without Apple’s in-app purchase fees.
- Browser engine flexibility, lifting the WebKit requirement to permit competing browser engines on iOS.
However, these updates have been met with skepticism. Critics argue that Apple’s adjustments are structured to minimize disruption to its ecosystem rather than fully embracing the DMA’s principles.
Apple has also submitted a preliminary compliance report to the European Commission, detailing its approach to meeting the new regulations. However, EU officials have yet to confirm whether Apple’s measures fully satisfy the legal requirements.
Regulatory Pressure Extends Beyond Apple
Apple is not the only tech giant facing scrutiny. The European Commission has also mandated compliance from Google, Microsoft, and Amazon under the DMA, requiring them to adjust their business models to ensure fair competition.
For Apple, however, the stakes are uniquely high. The company’s tightly controlled ecosystem is central to its brand identity and business strategy. Forced interoperability threatens to alter that model, allowing competitors to gain traction within iOS.
Meta, in particular, has sought to capitalize on the regulatory shift by pushing for greater iOS integration for its Quest VR headsets and smart glasses, which compete directly with Apple’s Vision Pro.
What’s Next for Apple?
The European Commission has signaled that it will closely monitor Apple’s compliance in the coming months. Defending its enforcement measures, EU Commissioner for Competitiveness, Teresa Ribera, stated:
“Today’s decisions mark the first time the Commission outlines concrete measures for a gatekeeper to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Companies operating in the EU, irrespective of their place of incorporation, must comply with EU rules, including the Digital Markets Act. With these decision, we are simply implementing the law, and providing regulatory certainty both to Apple and to developers.
Effective interoperability for third-party connected devices is an important step towards opening Apple’s ecosystem. This will lead to a better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices. Also, from now on, developers will enjoy more transparency as to how their interoperability requests are handled by Apple. Today moves us closer to ensuring a level playing field in Europe, thanks to the rule of law.”
With the March 2025 deadline approaching, Apple faces a defining choice: fully comply with EU demands or risk escalating legal battles that could permanently reshape its control over iOS. The outcome of this regulatory fight could set a precedent for how digital platforms operate in the European market and beyond.
