Apple Legally Directed To Make The Following Changes! EU Raises Interoperability Concerns News24 –

The European Commission last month detailed a list of changes that Apple has been asked to implement by the EU legally. The announcement clarifies, interoperability requirements that Apple is required to adhere to in the EU under the Digital Markets Act. The Act had been fully enforced since March 2024. 

While the changes have been legally advised, Apple is seemingly impervious against the changes. Since these changes would further open up the iPhone and its technologies to competing companies and devices. 

key Requirements And Changes Apple Has Been Tasked With Legally

One of the first changes involves compatibility with Third Party Smartwatches- Third party smartwatches should be able to display and interact with iOS notifications by the end of 2025. This would mean that the updates would be brought with iOS 19.2 or earlier.  Beyond that Apple has also been asked to provide their phones with an automatic switching feature available to third -party headphones by June 1, 2026. The feature would enable most Air Pods and select Beats to automatically switch connections between Apple Devices, such as Mac and iPhone.

Apple Must also make Further changes to iOS that allow third parties to offer equivalent AirDrop alternatives by June 1, 2026.  Beyond that, Apple must also make changes to iOS to allow third parties to offer equivalent AirPlay alternatives by iOS 20 by the end of 2026.The update would be released to the general public by September 2026. 

Apple has been asked to make these changes under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Few of the first decisions were regarding the interoperability that Apple provides regarding functionalities such as notifications, device Pairing and Connectivity and data transfer functions like that of AirDrop and Airplay. 

Apple’s Jeopardy 

Although The Eu has asked Apple to make the necessary changes to ensure that the interoperability between Apple and other third party applications and devices stays Intact. Apple has been contesting the decision stating that the DMA has effectively asked them to hand over intellectual property to competitors. Beyond that, Apple has also argued that some data driven companies exploit the DMA to bypass Eu data protection standards, seeking unfettered access to user devices and data. 

These would include free access to user notifications and details of connected WIFI networks. Apple has already stated that it employed about 500 engineers to channel out ways to comply with the DMA. Apple believes that it has met all the necessary requirements and will continue to engage the regulators.  But beyond that the brand is unconvinced the current demands would foster innovation or competition.