Apple and the European Union are constantly at odds. But with the new regulations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the conflict has reached a new level. The EU wants to promote competition and limit the power of large technology companies, but the reality is different. The new regulations almost exclusively affect Apple, while other companies are spared. For you as an iPhone user, this means delayed or completely unavailable features, potential security risks, and a general disadvantage compared to users in other parts of the world. Let's take a closer look at why Apple is resisting these regulations and what consequences this will have for the future.
The Digital Markets Act is intended to prevent large platforms from hindering competition and exploiting their market power. The EU wants to ensure that smaller companies have better opportunities and consumers benefit from more choice. This sounds like a sensible plan, but in practice Apple is the main target. While Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and ByteDance also fall under the definition of a so-called "gatekeeper," the new obligations are of little relevance to them. Apple, on the other hand, will be forced to open up its platform more and grant third parties access to its technologies. The problem: Apple cannot or does not want to implement all of the requirements without jeopardizing its own principles. As a result, the company has already announced that it will delay or possibly not offer some new features for iPhone users in the EU.
Apple under pressure: What the EU demands
The EU argues that companies like Apple must be required to make their platforms more open. The goal is to promote innovation and ensure that other companies are not disadvantaged. The key demands on Apple:
- Third-party developers must have access to certain iPhone features
- Apple must not give preferential treatment to its own services
- Technologies such as iPhone mirroring must also be available to other companies
- Interoperability between Apple products and third-party software must be ensured
This sounds like more freedom for developers and more choice for users. But in practice, it primarily means that Apple is forced to share its own technologies—for free.
Apple reacts: Delays and restrictions for EU users
Apple has already responded to some of these demands. The first measure: New features like Apple Intelligence were introduced late, and iPhone mirroring will not be rolled out at all in the EU for the time being. The reason is simple: When Apple develops a new feature, the company would have to ensure from day one that third-party providers can access it. This represents considerable additional effort that provides no direct benefit to Apple. The solution from the company's perspective is simple: it prefers to introduce new features in other markets where these restrictions do not exist. For you as a user, this means:
- New Apple features will come to the EU later or not at all
- Security and privacy features may be restricted
- Europe is becoming a less priority market for Apple
Data protection at risk? Why Apple is fighting back
Data protection is a particularly sensitive issue. Apple argues that it develops technologies characterized primarily by high security standards. The new EU rules could undermine these standards by forcing Apple to grant companies like Meta or Google access to sensitive data. According to Apple, Meta has already requested access to more than a dozen technical interfaces related to CarPlay, iPhone mirroring, and Bluetooth devices. Particularly worrying: Meta reportedly also wants access to iPhone users' Wi-Fi network data. What this means:
- Third parties could collect more data from iPhone users
- Apple is partially losing control over its own data protection measures
- Companies like Meta could benefit from the new rules without investing in data protection themselves
The EU appears to be aware of this problem, but is doing nothing to address it. While Apple has to meet strict requirements, companies like Meta and Spotify remain largely untouched.
Unfair competition for Apple?
One of the biggest criticisms of the new rules is that they appear to be specifically aimed at Apple. While the EU claims it wants to regulate large platform operators, in practice the measures almost exclusively affect Apple. While Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft can keep their business models largely unchanged, Apple is forced to open up its platforms. At the same time, competitors benefit from being able to easily adopt Apple's technologies and innovations. Another example: Spotify is considered the market leader in music streaming, but does not meet the criteria of a gatekeeper. Apple Music, on the other hand, is under increased scrutiny. This leads to a distortion of competition in which European companies are given preferential treatment.
What does this mean for the future?
The question is how Apple will deal with the new rules in the future. Several scenarios are conceivable:
- Apple accepts the requirements and opens its platform further – at the expense of its own data protection standards
- Apple continues to delay or not introduce new features for the EU
- Apple is withdrawing from certain areas of the European market in the long term
Particularly controversial: Ireland will assume the EU Council Presidency in 2026. Apple has close economic ties to Ireland and could attempt to challenge the new regulations there.
Apple vs. EU: Who really benefits?
Officially, the EU wants to make the market fairer and offer consumers more choice. But in practice, it seems to be primarily about reining in Apple while leaving other large corporations untouched. For you as an iPhone user, this primarily means disadvantages: delayed features, potential privacy risks, and a lower priority for the European market. The question remains whether Apple will adapt in the long term or whether the EU will eventually be forced to amend its rules. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Photo by Unsplash / Peng Originals)
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