The European Union (EU) is taking new regulatory steps to make Apple’s ecosystem more open. According to the decision announced by the European Commission, Apple will have to arrange its iPhones with third -party smart watches, headphones and other connected devices. These decisions are among the binding arrangements aimed at Apple’s adaptation to the EU’s Digital Markets Law (DMA).
The two new decisions of the EU require Apple to offer more access in the iOS operating system. First, arrangements have been introduced to ensure that third -party smart watches are better matched with iPhones, data transfer and improving notification integration. The second decision makes Apple to provide developers more technical information about the functioning of iOS, that this process is carried out in a transparent way and to comply with the specified timeline.
These decisions of the European Commission are considered part of the binding steps to adapt Apple to the Digital Markets Law. In December 2023, the EU presented draft arrangements for Apple and asked the company to act within the framework of the rules set. Now the decisions taken aim to accelerate Apple’s compliance process.
Teresa Ribera, Vice President of EU Competition, said in a statement, “These decisions are the first examples of Apple’s clearly determining how to follow a process of harmony within the scope of the Digital Markets Law,” he said. Although Apple has the right to carry these decisions to the judiciary, it is emphasized that the company should adapt to EU laws.
The Apple front came to criticism for these regulations. Apple spokesman Marni Goldberg, the decisions taken by the company’s innovation process, arguing, “These decisions, Apple’s innovation for users in Europe reduces the speed of innovation and requires us to share some features developed by our company,” he said. The company said it would continue to cooperate with the European Commission, but would express its concerns about the confidentiality and security of its users.
European Union: A more fair market for third -party developers and consumers
The European Commission said that the aim of these decisions is only to ensure legal compliance and that it aims to create a more fair market for third -party developers and consumers. Ribira, “the Apple ecosystem becomes more open, will offer a wider co -operation for connected devices. This will provide more options and flexibility to consumers,” he said.
The EU’s pressure on Apple may require the technology giant to relax the closed ecosystem approach. Especially in the European market, iPhone users are expected to have a better integration experience with different brand smart watches and headphones. In the coming period, it is wondered how Apple will respond to these regulations and what kind of changes will be made in iOS.