Apple is legally contesting a European Union directive from March that mandates increased iOS compatibility with rival products under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company filed its appeal on May 30, 2025, to the EU’s General Court, arguing the interoperability rules jeopardize its product design, are overly burdensome, and create security risks for users. This move escalates tensions between the tech giant and EU regulators, setting a potentially crucial precedent for DMA enforcement.
At the heart of Apple’s challenge is the assertion that the EU’s requirements for its iOS operating system are, in the words of a company spokesperson, “deeply flawed” and threaten the seamless user experience Apple aims to deliver. The company stated it is appealing “on their behalf, and in order to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple specifically highlighted that rivals have requested access to highly sensitive information, including notification content and WiFi network history.
The EU’s March order requires Apple to open parts of iOS, such as allowing notifications on third-party wearables and broader access for developers to features like NFC for alternative payment services. This legal fight is critical, as non-compliance with the DMA can result in fines up to 10% of global annual turnover.
Innovation and Security at Core of Apple’s Defense
Apple’s primary defense against the EU’s interoperability mandates revolves around concerns for user security and the potential to hinder innovation. The company has previously voiced strong objections to data access requests from competitors, particularly Meta Platforms.
In March Apple warned that fulfilling Meta’s extensive iOS integration requests for its apps could allow access to a vast range of user data, a claim Meta dismissed as an anticompetitive tactic. Apple had also criticized a specific Meta access request in December 2024, as noted by The Wall Street Journal.
An Apple spokesperson emphasized the company’s design philosophy, explaining their technology is built to “work seamlessly together,” but asserted that “The EU’s interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation.”
This stance aligns with previous strong criticisms from Apple. For instance, the company has stated the European Commission is “unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free,” and claimed that despite “hundreds of thousands of engineering hours” to comply with a law “none of which our users have asked for,” “the Commission continues to move the goal posts every step of the way.”
Navigating the Digital Markets Act
This appeal is the latest in a series of confrontations between Apple and the EU regarding the DMA, a sweeping regulation designed to ensure fair competition in digital markets. In April the EC imposed a €500 million fine on Apple for breaching the DMA’s “anti-steering” rules in its App Store. These rules prevent platforms from restricting developers from informing users about alternative purchasing options. The EC’s 70-page ruling on this matter set a late June 2025 compliance deadline.
Apple has consistently contested the EC’s interpretations, with a statement to 9to5Mac describing DMA decisions as detrimental. While Apple has made some DMA-related changes to its European services, including those in iOS 17.4, and submitted a preliminary compliance report, the current appeal on interoperability signals a deep-seated disagreement.
Implications of the Legal Challenge
The legal proceedings at the EU’s General Court are expected to be lengthy, potentially taking 18 to 24 months. During this time, the EC’s interoperability order will likely remain in effect unless suspended by the court. The outcome will significantly shape the future of Apple’s ecosystem in Europe and influence how other tech companies designated as “gatekeepers” respond to the DMA’s requirements.
EU officials, such as Commissioner Teresa Ribera, have maintained that the DMA is about implementing the law and providing regulatory certainty, as she explained in the March 2025 Commission ruling.
The Commission’s broader goal is to foster a more level playing field, allowing for greater consumer choice and innovation among developers, a sentiment echoed in ongoing discussions about various tech regulations and antitrust concerns within the EU.
