Key facts
- Apple has delayed the launch of its Siri AI in the European Union.
- The European Commission stated that the DMA does not prohibit Apple from introducing new products in the EU.
- The Commission claims Apple requested an exemption from interoperability obligations under the DMA.
- Tech giants describe the DMA's implementation and evaluation by the Commission as a system of 'moving goalposts'.
- Alternative web browsers have reported user gains and increased traffic due to DMA compliance measures.
- A recent EU Commission review found that while gatekeeper behavior is changing, more enforcement is needed.
Apple's decision to delay its Siri AI in the European Union, citing the Digital Markets Act (DMA), has drawn criticism from the European Commission. The Commission asserts that the DMA does not prohibit new product launches and that Apple's choice is its own, driven by a refusal to comply with interoperability obligations and a desire to avoid closing the market to competitors.
Tech companies, including Apple, have expressed frustration with the DMA, describing its implementation as a system of 'moving goalposts' due to the Commission's dynamic and flexible evaluation of compliance measures. While the DMA aims to foster fairer competition by imposing ex-ante obligations on designated 'gatekeepers,' its practical application and the benefits for consumers and smaller businesses remain subjects of debate.
Despite the controversies, some smaller companies, such as alternative web browsers like Aloha, Opera, and Vivaldi, have reported positive impacts, including user growth and increased traffic, attributed to DMA compliance solutions. However, a recent three-year review by the European Commission acknowledged that while gatekeeper behavior is evolving, more enforcement is necessary to achieve the DMA's objectives. The review's findings were based on a broad evidentiary record rather than hard economic figures, and civil society groups continue to question the tangible benefits the DMA has delivered to consumers and founders.