The European Commission will formally specify steps that Apple needs to take to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) around its interoperability with other products, the EU executive announced on Thursday (19 September).
These proceedings, formalising ongoing discussions between the EU executive and the US tech giant under the DMA, – the EU’s digital competition regulation – mark the first time the Commission is making use of this DMA tool.
The announcement of the two “specification proceedings” came while MEPs in Strasbourg debated the historic European Court of Justice ruling on the Apple state aid case.
Improving interoperability may come at the expense of privacy and security, Apple said in a response to Euractiv. The firm has “consistently increased access to the iPhone,” including 250,000 APIs so that developers can access its homegrown functionalities,” a representative said.
The first proceeding looks at how Apple’s iOS operating system handles interoperability, particularly around connected devices, the Commission said.
The company must now simplify the process for non-Apple devices, such as smartwatches, headphones, and VR headsets, to connect with iPhones and iPads. For example, allowing features like Bluetooth pairing and notifications to work smoothly with third-party products.
The second proceeding focuses on Apple’s interactions with developers who request that their products be interoperable with iPhones and iPads. The goal is to make sure the process is fair, clear, and efficient so all developers have a chance to innovate.
On Thursday, the Commission announced the initiation of the investigations with a six-month deadline for its completion.
During this time, Apple will receive the Commission’s initial findings and clear actions needed to meet the DMA’s interoperability requirements. A summary of these findings will also be made public for feedback.
Should Apple fail to comply, the Commission could impose fines and restrict Apple’s business operations in specific geographical regions or technology sectors.
In July, the Commission legally bound Apple to address previous competition concerns over its refusal to grant rivals access to near-field communication (NFC) technology for contactless payments.
[Edited by Eliza Gkritsi/Martina Monti]
