Apple threatens UK with delayed features if EU DMA-like regulations introduced

Proposed regulations in the UK mirror the EU's, which could result in the removal and delay of select features for iPhones and other products in Apple's ecosystem.

Apple would rather not ship a feature in a region at all if it meant opening up its operating system to competitors. It has already withheld iPhone mirroring and Mac Live Activities from the EU, and delayed Apple Intelligence in the region.

In July, the UK announced plans for its Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to introduce regulations against Apple and Google. On Wednesday, the BBC shared that Apple and the CMA made new statements on the issue, though the full text of those statements wasn't revealed.

In short, Apple said that the EU-style rules "are bad for users and bad for developers." It argues that the EU laws have resulted in Apple features and enhancements being delayed for European users.

Apple asserts that the UK risks similar delays if the CMA produces regulations similar to the EU DMA. The CMA's approach "undermines the privacy and security protections our users have come to expect, hampers our ability to innovate, and forces us to give away our technology for free to foreign competitors."

The provisions proposed by the CMA will remove anti-steering practices, open up digital wallet access, and give more data to third-party smart watches. These are similar issues brought up by the United States Department of Justice antitrust suit.

The CMA responded to Apple's statement with a statement of its own. It spoke about its proposed rules.

"They are designed to help UK businesses, including our thriving app developer economy, innovate and grow while ensuring UK consumers don't miss out on innovation being introduced in other countries," the CMA said. "Driving greater competition on mobile platforms need not undermine privacy, security, or intellectual property, and as we carefully consider UK-specific steps, we will ensure it does not."

Nothing has happened yet beyond an announcement of plans to introduce regulations. The UK CMA says it will not implement anything until October 22, 2025, and in the meantime, it will consult with the affected businesses.