Apple decided to delay the release of Apple Intelligence services, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing in the European Union due to concerns over the regulations set forth in the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as reported by various media outlets.
The technology behind Apple’s intelligence was developed to enhance the company’s services. According to an Apple spokesperson, Apple Intelligence boasts a vast language set and high-capacity deployment models, along with an index that works across apps to identify and feed data into the models. This development has impacted Siri and other functions of the company.
The European Union expects major tech companies to act independently.
Users of identical iPhone models can view and control their devices from their Macs. The SharePlay screen sharing feature allows FaceTime users to control others’ devices during conversations. This was confirmed by Fred Sains, Apple’s Senior Corporate Communications Director, in a statement to The Verge.
We are concerned that the interoperability requirements of DMA may force us to compromise the safety of our products in ways that threaten user privacy and data security.
Apple is considered one of the six companies labeled by the European Union as “gatekeepers,” wielding strong influence in their markets. Alongside Apple, gatekeepers include companies like Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft. European Union lawmakers assert that these six companies operate 22 “key platform services.” Gatekeepers are subject to the regulations of the Digital Markets Act, scheduled to be enforced in May 2023.
The rules gatekeepers must abide by include engaging with third parties, ensuring user control over their data and the data they generate, and companies’ right to verify ad hosting on their platforms, among other matters.
If these rules are violated, penalties of up to 10% of the company’s worldwide annual turnover may be imposed, reaching 20% in case of repeated violations, along with necessary corrective actions. Currently, investigations are ongoing regarding Apple’s business practices in the European Union.
Source: M.G. Siegler
