Apple escalates fight against EU digital law
The European Commission rejected Apple’s demand to repeal the Digital Markets Act, insisting compliance ensures fair competition and interoperability across digital markets.
US tech giant Apple has called for the repeal of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, claiming the rules undermine user privacy, disrupt services, and erode product quality.
The company urged the Commission to replace the legislation with a ‘fit for purpose’ framework, or hand enforcement to an independent agency insulated from political influence.
Apple argued that the Act’s interoperability requirements had delayed the rollout of features in the EU, including Live Translation on AirPods and iPhone mirroring. Additionally, the firm accused the Commission of adopting extreme interpretations that created user vulnerabilities instead of protecting them.
Brussels has dismissed those claims. A Commission spokesperson stressed that DMA compliance is an obligation, not an option, and said the rules guarantee fair competition by forcing dominant platforms to open access to rivals.
A dispute that intensifies long-running friction between US tech firms and the EU regulators.
Apple has already appealed to the courts, with a public hearing scheduled in October, while Washington has criticised the bloc’s wider digital policy.
A clash has deepened transatlantic trade tensions, with the White House recently threatening tariffs after fresh fines against another American tech company.
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