Home Apple may delay AI features in the EU because of its big tech laws

Apple may delay AI features in the EU because of its big tech laws

tl;dr

  • Apple delays new features in the EU due to concerns over the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
  • Services like Apple Intelligence and iPhone Mirroring will launch in the US this year, but later in the EU.
  • Apple claims DMA rules compromise device safety; EU insists on fair competition compliance.

Apple has warned upcoming features will need to be delayed in the European Union due to regulatory curbs on Big Tech. 

The Cupertino-based company has cited concerns around the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) as the cause of the delay in the rollout of its new generative AI system, Apple Intelligence, as well as iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay enhancements in the European bloc. 

While the services will be introduced in the United States later this year, it is likely to be some point next year before they reach the EU.

As reported by Bloomberg, Apple is uncomfortable with the regulatory framework and present uncertainty surrounding it, claiming the rules would force the tech giant to compromise on the safety of its devices. The EU has previously refuted this argument.

In an email statement, Apple said, “Specifically, we are concerned that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security.”

Apple added it was “committed” to further dialogue with the European Commission (EU executive body) to find a solution to the deadlock to bring the new features to its vast European user base. 

Tim Cook pledges Apple Intelligence will remain private

The DMA puts a significant onus on the “gatekeepers” of massive online platforms to stop anticompetitive behavior, but companies such as Apple take the position that enabling third-party access with their services will bring threats to security and privacy.

In response, an EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier said that Apple and any other company, including gatekeepers, are welcome to trade in the EU “provided that they comply with our rules aimed at ensuring fair competition.”

Earlier this month at WWDC 2024, Apple introduced its Intelligence system (which chief executive Tim Cook pledged will remain private) which will bring together the Siri digital assistant and Open AI’s ChatGPT to perform web search tasks and to generate images or text. 

The range of AI features will be able to scan a user’s emails, chats, and photos to find specific information based on the instructions given in a prompt.

Image credit: Via Ideogram

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Graeme Hanna
Tech Journalist

Graeme Hanna is a full-time, freelance writer with significant experience in online news as well as content writing. Since January 2021, he has contributed as a football and news writer for several mainstream UK titles including The Glasgow Times, Rangers Review, Manchester Evening News, MyLondon, Give Me Sport, and the Belfast News Letter. Graeme has worked across several briefs including news and feature writing in addition to other significant work experience in professional services. Now a contributing news writer at ReadWrite.com, he is involved with pitching relevant content for publication as well as writing engaging tech news stories.

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