Scammers and Viruses in Every iPhone: The Consequences of the "Free" App Store Law
Why will the new iPhone work worse in Europe?
Apple has appealed to the European Commission to review and repeal the current Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law designed to limit the influence of the largest technology corporations. The company claims that due to the law's requirements, users in the European Union are facing delays in receiving new features and increased risks to their privacy and security.
The law came into force in 2024 and obligates major players—so-called "gatekeepers"—to open their platforms to third-party developers and competitors. Brussels emphasizes that for Apple and other companies, this is not a matter of choice but a legal obligation.
According to Apple, the company has had to postpone the launch of several services in Europe. These include mirroring the iPhone screen to Mac computers, live translation via AirPods, and location-based features in Maps. The reason cited is the necessity to adapt these features to work with products from other manufacturers and third-party applications. Apple claims that the protective measures it proposed to preserve privacy were rejected by the European Commission, and no compromise solution has been found.
Apple warns that the new rules have resulted in a less convenient and more risky user experience. The company believes that the ability to install apps from alternative sources and use alternative app stores has opened the door to fraudulent services, malware, and content that was previously blocked in the App Store.
In June, Apple already changed the rules and fees in the European App Store to comply with the EU's antitrust requirements. Now, the corporation asserts that the DMA does not promote market development but, on the contrary, makes it more difficult to do business in the region.
The European Commission is currently conducting its first assessment of the law's effectiveness and gathering feedback from all industry participants, including Apple. At the same time, representatives of the Commission remind that the main goal of the DMA is to ensure competition and service compatibility, and user interests must be a priority. Criticism of the law is also heard outside of Europe: the administration of Donald Trump in the US consistently opposes the DMA. However, the European Commission insists that the legal norms will be applied in full, despite external pressure.
