European Union wants to force Apple to open its operating system to competitors
The European Union has said it will draw up measures to force Apple to open its iPhone and iPad operating systems to competing technologies under the bloc’s tough new digital rulebook, which threatens heavy fines for violations.
LONDON — The European Union said Thursday it would outline measures to force Apple to open its iPhone and iPad operating systems to competing technologies under the bloc’s tough new digital rulebook, which threatens heavy fines for violations.
The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, has announced that it has opened two “specification procedures” that will spell out what Apple must do under the 27-nation bloc’s digital markets law.
The DMA aims to prevent Big Tech “gatekeepers” from dominating digital markets, in part by breaking up closed tech ecosystems. It requires tech companies to make their systems work with those of their competitors, making it easier for consumers to move between platforms.
One of the proceedings will focus on how connected devices like smartwatches and headphones can benefit from “effective interoperability” with Apple’s operating system. The other will examine how Apple handles interoperability requests from software developers for iOS and iPadOS, which should be done in a “transparent, timely and fair” manner, the commission said.
During this process, which will take up to six months, the Commission will transmit its findings to Apple. This is the first time the Commission has used this process since the DMA came into force earlier this year. The EU is already investigating Apple over its App Store rules for developers.
Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said in a press release that the process would “provide clarity” for developers and Apple.
Apple said it has “created ways for European Union apps to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPadOS while protecting our users.”
“Undermining the protections we have built over time would put European consumers at risk,” the company said, adding that it would continue to “work constructively” with the Commission.
