The tension between Apple and the European Union is reaching pretty complicated limits that have even gone as far as threatening to withdraw its products in this area because of the Digital Markets Act (what would European influencers do without an iPhone?). The Cupertino company has launched a warning that could stop the launch of functions designed for its European users and that also opens the door to greater security and privacy risks. How far should regulation go without killing innovation?
What is the DMA?
The DMA is a regulation driven by Brussels to guarantee competition in the digital market. Its idea is to prevent big companies from abusing their position and force them to make their devices more open and compatible with the services of third party companies.
The problem is that, for Apple, that obligation always becomes an obstacle. The company assures that developing new functions has become much more complicated, for example, its live translation service has not been able to launch in Europe!
The reason, they say, is that the law allows competitors to have access to private conversations, which for Apple represents a privacy risk they are not willing to overlook, and thank goodness!
Apple’s position
Apple is clear, the DMA is not boosting innovation, it is giving wings to rivals at the expense of those who lead the sector, and it is not fair. The company maintains that what is really happening is that other companies are allowed to collect data from European citizens or take advantage of Apple technologies at no cost but they use the wonderful excuse that what they want is to foster competition.
“The list of delayed functions in the EU will probably get longer and our users’ experience will be even more lagging behind”
Brussels vs. Cupertino
In recent years, Apple has already had to modify chargers, payment systems and even its app stores to comply with EU community rules, but this time they don’t want more, they could even withdraw their products from the market if these rules don’t change.
The European market
Looking at it in perspective, Europe is one of the most important markets for Apple (and for any other company). Withdrawing would be a huge blow, both economic and image wise, but it would also be a powerful message to Brussels, in the end it will be a showdown between the two.
On the other side, the European Commission does not seem willing to give in. Its objective is to reduce dependence on a few companies that dominate the digital ecosystem. For them, the DMA is an essential step, even if that means clashing head on with companies like Apple, what we say, a showdown between both.
What does it mean for users?
Well if Apple ends up complying, the first to notice the impact would be, as always, the users. If Apple fulfills its threat, Europeans would not only be left without some key functions, but could even lose access to certain products… The technological gap with other markets would be impressive and would be like tripping innovation…
Apple’s warning marks a new stage for everyone, while the company insists that the DMA hinders innovation and puts privacy at risk, Brussels continues defending that the rule is necessary and that’s it.
There will be consequences, of course, the problem is figuring out which ones. Europe is playing with innovation and technology, and Apple losing one of its biggest markets. Who will win the fight?