The European Union has sent preliminary instructions on how Apple expects iPhone manufacturers to comply with the interoperability clauses of the Floc's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
According to the committee, device manufacturers and app developers should have access to nine iOS connectivity features previously restricted to Apple's exclusive use, including peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connectivity, NFC features, and device pairing. As a result, Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, connected TVs or other non-apple devices should work better on your iPhone.
Google can use this opportunity to get Airdrop to work on Android devices. Headphone makers can support SharePlay. This is a feature that only works with AirPods for now.
This follows Apple's launch of two spec procedures in September. One of them focused on effectively meeting DMA interoperability requirements when Apple allows connected devices to take advantage of iOS connectivity features such as notifications and device pairing.
The second concern is the interoperability demands made by third-party app developers with the capabilities of Apple's iOS and iPados platforms. In that case, the committee recommends improved access to technical documents and better communication with third-party companies using those features. The EU is looking for “a more predictable timeline for timely communication and updates and review of interoperability requests.”
Apple is designated as a “gatekeeper” under the DMA, and minutes are possible as both mobile platforms are subject to the so-called “core platform services” regulatory interoperability rules. (Reminder: Penalties for DMA violations can reach up to 10% of global annual revenue.)
The Act includes many upfront details on how gatekeepers comply with various provisions, such as prohibiting gatekeepers from self-reporting and interoperability obligations, but the Act allows the Commission to set up more specific instructions that they believe are necessary to ensure effective compliance.
The EU is concerned that Apple does not provide a level playing field to integrate with the platform into third-party connected devices. For example, you can properly display iOS notifications on a non-Apple smartwatch screen, or have a smooth iPhone pairing experience with a (non-apple) smart speaker.
Apple is generally not satisfied with either DMA or any of these specific interoperability instructions.
In the latter case, the EU blames its business for being independent as other gatekeepers are not yet subject to specification procedures.
In a background briefing with journalists before the EU released its preliminary findings on the lawsuit, Apple attacked the committee's actions as anti-violation and framing the move to interfere with civil servant micromanagement.
The company argues that BLOC's actions could limit which technologies and features are available in the region, as this means that DMA will be forced to make it available to rivals immediately.
Furthermore, Apple argues that specification procedures can have disastrous consequences for the privacy and security of European users. This is because the block requires third parties to send unencrypted data. According to Apple, the committee rejected any proposals it made to try to mitigate some of these risks.
Apple argues that interoperability requirements mean that they are forced to expose potentially sensitive user data, from notifications that contain personal messages or one-off code to details of Wi-Fi networks that users have joined, as well as external developers who can exploit information for tracking and profiling.
Social Media Advertising Giant Meta – Its business empire is based on tracking and profiling to sell ads, but according to Apple, it is a major requester of app interoperability features.
Due to the interpretation of EU law, Apple also states that it cannot take steps to protect users from entities seeking to use DMA to gain free access to information for their own commercial interests.
Apple also informed EU Crunch that if EU Barred Apple agrees to receive iOS notifications on third-party devices, it will provide users with information about potential risks.
The so-called Apple “Scare Screens” – the information pop-ups related to alias, third-party transactions, interactions, or access, were the perennial frustration of developers who are frustrated by some developers when the company contacted external entities that it was at high risk for users.
In a statement, Apple said in its statement following its preliminary decision on the EU specifications procedure: “Today's decision will slow Apple's ability to innovate European users and force them to provide new features to businesses that don't need to play with the same rules, which will continue to support European committees to support European committees.
Equal stadiums
Apple frames DMA against anti-violation, but some small businesses complain about the (sudden) interoperability of the company. Earlier this week, when Pebble creator Eric Migikovsky unveiled his new smartwatch, he also wrote a lengthy blog post explaining all the Apple limitations that make third-party smartwatches worse than the Apple Watch.
“There is no way to support all the features that Apple Watch has access to. It is impossible for third-party smartwatches to send text messages or take actions with notifications (reject, mute, reply, etc.),” writes Migicovsky.
Migicovsky describes his new company as a “labor of love” for those looking for a fun, hackable smartwatch. And he opposes Apple's attack on DMA. “They are clearly using their market power to lock consumers in walled ecosystems. This will result in less competition, higher prices and lower innovation,” writes Migicovsky.
And in recent years, things have become difficult for third-party smartwatch companies. Starting with iOS 13, notification content previews will be hidden on the iPhone lock screen by default until you unlock your iPhone. As a result, smartwatch makers will not be able to retrieve the content of notifications unless the user manually enables full content preview on the lock screen.
Instead of asking users to weaken the security level of iOS, Migicovsky wants to be able to use the same APIs that Apple Watch currently uses. “If you live in Europe, thank you for voting for a representative who has passed the DMA. I'm petitioning Apple under Article 6 of the DMA to require interoperability with the Apple Watch API,” he writes.
Migicovsky is the vocal opponent of Apple's platform limit this week, but many startup founders have quietly nodded. According to them, Apple will need to allocate a small portion of its development resources to create a level playing field.