The European Commission has adopted two decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure Apple complies with its interoperability obligations. The decisions aim to enhance the integration of third-party products with Apple's ecosystem, providing European consumers with a wider range of compatible products.
The first decision focuses on improving interoperability for connected devices, such as smartwatches and headphones, by granting manufacturers and developers enhanced access to nine iOS connectivity features. The aim is to facilitate faster data transfers, easier device setup, and improved interaction between iPhones and third-party devices, all while maintaining user privacy and security.
The second decision addresses improved access to technical documentation, ensuring timely communication, and establishing a predictable timeline for reviewing requests. The move is designed to assist developers in offering more innovative services and hardware that work seamlessly with Apple devices.
The two decisions are legally binding and require Apple to implement the specified measures.
While Apple has agreed to comply with the two decisions, in a statement given to 9to5Mac, the company said, "Today's decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple's ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don't have to play by the same rules. It's bad for our products and for our European users. We will continue to work with the European Commission to help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users."
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