The European Commission expects Apple to comply with Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations. There is this proceedings have been started designed to ensure that the company complies with its interoperability obligations as one of the designated gatekeepers of the DMA, which is comprised of the industry’s largest and most important players. The commission explained that under the DMA, it has the right to “make a decision determining the measures that the gatekeeper must take to ensure effective compliance” and that it gives Apple six months to not comply with its proposed measures. does not want to face large fines.
One area the commission will focus on is iOS connectivity for connected devices such as smartwatches, headphones and virtual reality headsets. Manufacturers of these products “depend on effective interoperability with smartphones and their operating systems,” the commission said. It plans to specify how Apple should provide effective interoperability that will allow non-Apple devices to easily pair and connect to iPhones, as well as receive notifications. The commission will also look at the process Apple has established to address developer requests for third-party interoperability with iOS and iPadOS.
“Today is the first time we have used the specification procedures under the DMA to guide Apple to effectively comply with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue,” said EU competition chief Margret Vestager. “We are focused on ensuring fair and open digital markets. For example, effective interoperability with smartphones and their operating systems plays an important role in this. This process will provide clarity for developers, third parties and Apple. We will continue our dialogue. Consult with Apple and third parties so that the proposed measures work practically and meet the needs of the business”.
Back in June, the commission released preliminary findings for its investigation into Apple. It found that Apple violated DMA rules because it did not allow App Store developers to freely inform users about alternative payment options outside of its ecosystem. The company told Engadget at the time that it had “made a number of changes to comply with the DMA in response to feedback from regulators and the European Commission” over the previous months.
Apple has made a number of changes to its system to avoid being fined, including in the EU Opening iOS and iPadOS allows third-party app stores and developers Access to NFC technology. He is there too retained the new features From European users due to DMA rules including Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring on Mac and SharePlay Screen Sharing.
This was reported by the company Bloomberg he said he found ways to allow developers to require additional iOS and iPadOS interoperability while keeping users safe. He added that breaching the security of their systems would put European users at risk. As noted by the news organization, the commission may open an investigation against Apple if the company does not comply with the measures it has taken within the next six months. If found guilty, the company could be fined up to 10 percent of its global annual revenue.
