The European Commission (EC) and Apple continue to battle over the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The EU is compelling Apple to make changes to its software to enable greater openness and interoperability. Apple says the DMA stifles its ability to bring new features to European iPhone users and enables malware and pornography apps to be installed. Apple has made a submission to the EC saying the DMA should be repealed and replaced with a more suitable law. The EC has firmly rejected Apple’s submission.
Apple released a statement, saying enabling alternative app stores will allow criminals to distribute fake banking apps, malware-infected games and apps that can potentially steal user data. The DMA has also resulted in Apple withholding a number of features such as Live Translation, iPhone Mirroring, and Visited Places and Preferred Routes on Maps as the DMA. Apple says this is because the DMA would compel it to share data from those services to third parties.
The EC has countered this. In a statement made to France24, the EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier said the commission was “not surprised” by the tech giant’s move and “Apple has simply contested every little bit of the DMA since its entry into application.”
Apple’s argument
At this point, it seems that Apple and the EC are at an impasse. Apple says it has suggested changes to iOS that would, in its view, protect users’ data. However, the EC has rejected Apple’s proposals. Apple says part of the problem is that it would be illegal to share these features with Apple users until they are made available to competitor’s products.
The DMA includes provisions for software developers to make requests to Apple. Among those requests, which Apple must respond to, have been developers seeking access to the complete content of a user’s notifications which includes the content of a user’s messages, emails, medical alerts and any other notifications a user receives. This would reveal data to other companies that Apple can’t access. In another request, a developer asked for the full history of all Wi-Fi networks a user has joined.
The potential for overreach is staggering.
Apple’s two DMA problems
The DMA puts Apple, and other big tech companies, in a situation that can be represented in a Venn diagram.
Part of Apple’s argument is that the DMA overreaches and forces technology companies to share intellectual property. It says this results in diminished user choice as products are less differentiated. It may make it easier for users to easily switch platforms but if all the alternatives are very alike, will there be an incentive to switch between competitors?
The EC does also have a point. Apple wields enormous power over what a user can do with their iPhone. It curates the App Store to only allow apps it believes are safe and meet community standards. And it limits access to valuable data that developers could use to create
As I see it, the DMA has resulted in two issues. One is technical. Apple may be able to resolve the technical issues given enough time and a commitment to putting resources towards satisfying the DMA without compromising user safety and security.
The other is harder to solve. Apple won’t accept people telling it what to do. This is a much tougher problem to solve as Apple sees the DMA as an assault on its ability to deliver a highly curated user experience.
Apple can resolve the engineering problem. It might not be easy but it will be doable. The hard part for Apple will be finding the will to do it.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.