In the course of the WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple launched a number of new options for iPhone customers coming later this yr, together with Apple AI, iPhone Mirroring with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, and SharePlay Display screen Sharing.
Now, in a press release seen by Bloomberg, Apple introduced it gained’t deliver these options to the area on account of DMA considerations. “We’re involved that the interoperability necessities of the DMA may drive us to compromise the integrity of our merchandise in ways in which threat person privateness and information safety,” Apple stated in a press release.
Apple began complying with the Digital Markets Act with iOS 17.4. This software program replace required the corporate to agree with a number of new legislations, together with opening the iPhone to third-party app shops and cost programs, providing browser choices throughout smartphone setup, and extra. These are a few of the modifications Apple made to adjust to the DMA:
- Marketplaces – or different app shops: App builders within the EU can select to supply their apps in different app shops so long as they meet Apple’s standards for buyer expertise, help, and fraud prevention, amongst different modifications.
- Notarization for iOS apps: A baseline overview that applies to all apps, no matter their distribution channel, centered on platform integrity and defending customers. Notarization includes a mix of automated checks and human overview.
- Default browser choices: EU customers can select a brand new default browser from an inventory of probably the most downloaded browsers on iOS gadgets simply after they replace to iOS 17.4.
- NFC third-party entry: Banks and third-party cost providers will be supplied for European iPhones.
- Extra entry: Builders can ask for extra {hardware} and software program options for Apple.
Now, the corporate says it can delay the introduction of Apple AI options, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Display screen Sharing to European customers as DMA may drive Cupertino to open up these applied sciences for third-party builders—one thing like Android Mirroring or different third-party AI fashions interacting with iPhone information earlier than Apple companies a partnership.
Whereas this may be a bucket of chilly water for European customers, that is how Apple is dealing with DMA. Bloomberg notes the nations that gained’t have the ability to use these options as soon as they launch later this fall: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Eire, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden
