Apple and EU Clash Over Digital Markets Act Interoperability Standards – iClarified

The European Commission has published a preliminary document detailing the steps Apple must take to comply with its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These include opening up interoperability with iOS notifications, background execution, AirDrop, AirPlay, NFC, and more.

On 18 December 2024, the Commission adopted its preliminary findings in case DMA.100203 – Article 6(7) – Apple – iOS – SP – Features for connected physical devices, setting out the proposed measures that Apple should implement to ensure effective interoperability with iOS for connected devices. The Commission is consulting interested third parties on these measures, (1) and in particular on their effectiveness, completeness, feasibility and implementation timelines. These measures are preliminary and might be adjusted subject to feedback from third parties and Apple as well as further investigative steps.

The 11 features Apple has been instructed to provide interoperability with under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as outlined in the EU’s preliminary document, include:

1. iOS Notifications: Interoperability for receiving, responding to, and managing iOS notifications on third-party devices.
2. Background Execution: Continuous background actions for connected devices, such as maintaining Bluetooth or network connections.
3. Automatic Audio Switching: Switching audio sources between Apple and third-party devices seamlessly.
4. High-bandwidth Peer-to-Peer Wi-Fi Connection: Establishing direct, high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi connections between devices.
5. AirDrop: File transfer capabilities similar to Apple’s AirDrop for third-party devices.
6. Media Casting (AirPlay): Casting audio, video, and screen content to and from third-party devices.
7. Close-range Wireless File Transfer Services: Proximity-based file transfers using protocols like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct.
8. Proximity-triggered Pairing: Easy setup and pairing for third-party devices using proximity detection.
9. Automatic Wi-Fi Connection: Access to Wi-Fi network information stored on iOS devices to simplify network joining.
10. NFC Controller in Reader/Writer Mode: Using the NFC chip for third-party applications, including secure payments and smart card reading.
11. Device Setup and Configuration Features: Streamlined and guided setup processes for third-party devices, mirroring Apple’s internal device onboarding.

Apple has hit back at these demands with its own document entitled, “It’s getting personal. How abuse of the DMA’s interoperability mandate could expose your private information.” The company claims it is now seeing concrete examples of how these interoperability requirements will put users at risk, requiring them to open their devices and sensitive data to companies that will violate their privacy.

As an example of our concerns, Meta has made 15 requests (and counting) for potentially far-reaching access to Apple’s technology stack that, if granted as sought, would reduce the protections around personal data that our users have come to expect from their devices. If Apple were to have to grant all of these requests, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp could enable Meta to read on a user’s device all of their messages and emails, see every phone call they make or receive, track every app that they use, scan all of their photos, look at their files and calendar events, log all of their passwords, and more. This is data that Apple itself has chosen not to access in order to provide the strongest possible protection to users.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone replied to Apple’s accusation saying, “So let’s cut to the chase. Here’s what Apple is actually saying: they don’t believe in interoperability. In fact, every time Apple is called out for anticompetitive behavior, they defend themselves on privacy grounds that have no basis in reality.”

The EU wants Apple to implement the measures it has proposed in the next major iOS release, and no later than the end of 2025. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for the latest updates!