Apple Appeals EU Order Requiring iOS Interoperability

Apple is challenging a European Union order from March that details how its iOS operating system must interoperate with rival companies' products under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), reports the WSJ.

The appeal was filed on May 30 with the European Union's General Court in Luxembourg. It contests a decision made by the EU executive last March which mandated that Apple make iOS devices more compatible with rivals' offerings, spanning apps, headphones, and virtual reality headsets. That order specifically requires Apple to open nine iOS connectivity features, including notifications on non-Apple wearables and enhanced wireless data transfer capabilities, to third-party developers and device makers.

A spokesperson for Apple articulated the company's position, stating, "At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together, so it can deliver the unique experience our users love and expect from our products. The EU's interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation." The spokesperson called the rules "deeply flawed," adding that the EU executive's order "obliges Apple to share sensitive information with rivals and poses security risks to European customers." They further elaborated, "Companies have already requested our users' most sensitive data–from the content of their notifications, to a full history of every stored WiFi network on their device–giving them the ability to access personal information that even Apple doesn't see. We are appealing these decisions on their behalf, and in order to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect."


The European Commission, which serves as the EU's executive arm, remains firm on its stance. A spokesperson for the commission said its decisions are "fully in line with the DMA," and asserted, "We will defend them in Court."

The Digital Markets Act allows for significant penalties for non-compliance, potentially reaching up to 10% of a company's global annual turnover. In April, the EU hit Apple with a €500 million fine for violating DMA anti-steering rules.

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