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The European Commission has launched two proceedings that will tell Apple how to comply with interoperability requirements under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The new specification efforts aim to ensure “free and effective” interoperability in iOS and iPadOS for both businesses and developers.
One proceeding focuses on connectivity with third-party devices like headphones, smartwatches, and VR headsets. The EU plans to show Apple how to provide fuller functionality for connections, device pairing, and notifications.
The other proceeding will address how Apple handles interoperability requests from developers. The EU wants the approach to be “transparent, timely, and fair,” ideally giving them a consistent path that lets them achieve their goals.
The proceedings will close within six months. Apple will receive the preliminary findings, which will also be published in a summary form for third parties that want to comment.
This doesn’t end the Commission’s proceeding over Apple’s potential non-compliance with the DMA. It could still be subject to a decision that forces changes and levies fines.
However, this initiative might reduce the chances of future conflicts between Apple and the EU. While Apple has made changes in response to the DMA, such as allowing third-party app stores and permitting users to delete the App Store and Safari, it hasn’t done so willingly. Critics have accused Apple of malicious compliance through practices like charging a fee after a certain number of annual installs.
If the proceedings are successful, they could remove the ambiguity. Apple would know exactly how to comply. This might also serve as a template for governments in the US and other countries that are levelling antitrust lawsuits and investigations against the tech giant. Apple might have to follow a strict set of requirements in multiple regions if it hopes to keep iPhones and iPads on sale.
