Apple and EU regulators clash over Siri AI delay amid Digital Markets Act dispute
A strategic standoff emerges as Apple cites privacy risks from interoperability rules, while the European Commission insists the firm is stifling innovation to maintain ecosystem control.
Apple has announced that its new AI-powered Siri will not launch on iPhones and iPads in the European Union, attributing the delay to the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company argues that the DMA’s interoperability requirements would force it to grant rival AI providers excessive access to user data, posing significant privacy and security risks. Apple stated there is currently no timeline for Siri AI’s availability in the EU on iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.
The dispute centres on the DMA’s mandate for gatekeeper platforms to provide competitors with similar data access to that enjoyed by the platform itself. Apple contends that this would allow entities such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic to access personal information, photos, and messages used by the assistant. The firm proposed a “Trusted System Agent” solution to act as an intermediary, seeking an 18-month implementation period on a gradually rolling basis, which it claims the European Commission rejected.
European Commission spokesperson Ricardo Cardoso disputed Apple’s assertions, stating that nothing in the DMA prohibits the introduction of new products and services. Cardoso noted that Apple did not develop proposals for DMA-compliant interoperability solutions and accused the firm of using privacy concerns as a lobbying tactic to maintain control over its ecosystem. He emphasised that it is not for Apple to decide which AI tools EU citizens can use.
The situation reflects a broader pattern of Apple withholding features in the EU due to similar regulatory concerns, including AirPods live translation, iPhone mirroring, and Maps features. Analysts characterise the current impasse as a strategic standoff. Friso Bostoen of Tilburg University highlighted genuine security risks in forcing system openings, while Jan Penfrat of European Digital Rights described Apple’s moves as a pressure tactic to break the DMA.
Michael Veale from University College London suggested Apple’s privacy model relies on extreme vertical control that risks collapsing under interoperability demands. Experts noted that Apple’s proposed solution remains unpublished, making it impossible to assess its viability. The firm is now engaging in a high-stakes negotiation with regulators, with the outcome potentially setting precedents for AI integration in regulated markets.
