Apple Claims it Complied with EU’s DMA Despite Criticisms from Big Tech

After massive criticisms from Big Tech rivals, Apple now defends its side, claiming that it complies with the provisions of the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) with the changes it delivered to its tech. Among the changes it made were the arrival of sideloading for the iOS platform, third-party app stores and browser engines, NFC payment, and new developer policies.

Despite these, companies and known vocal Apple critics have raised their concerns and issues with Cupertino's DMA compliance, going as far as fining the renowned company.

Apple Claims it Complied with the EU's DMA

Reuters reported that Apple's lawyer, Kyle Andeer, recently spoke to the EU during its hearing, with the Cupertino-based company citing its compliance with the DMA and what it requires of them.

We were guided first and foremost by ensuring that we've complied with the law. And then, second, that we did it in a way that was consistent with our values and consistent with the language that we've developed with our users over a very long period of time. And we think we've accomplished that.

Kyle Andeer, Apple's lawyer.

This follows the recently imposed $2 billion fine against Apple, with the company initially defending itself and talking about how Spotify is already at the top and wants to maintain its status.

Apple's User-First Approach to DMA

Furthermore, Andeer said that Apple positioned itself with a user-first approach in this DMA compliance, focusing on its new policies with the public in their minds, putting themselves in the users' shows. They added that while this is the case, it does not leave developers behind with this compliance, tracking the impact of its changes for the users in the iPhone's run.

Big Tech Rivals' Criticism vs. Apple

Amid the many changes announced by Apple last January as part of its preparation for the DMA coming to effect this March, Big Tech rivals of the Cupertino giant spoke up against the company.

One of the most vocal critics of Apple was Epic Games, which had the chance to bring back Fortnite to iOS via its third-party app store, with its CEO Tim Sweeney known for his thread, which talked about Apple's "malicious compliance" to the law.

Spotify also spoke up against Apple, with the Swedish streaming company gathering signatures to back up its complaints and show how many share the same sentiment about Cupertino's "lack of DMA compliance." This was later escalated by the European Commission, which served Apple a $2 billion fine, going as far as to say that Spotify and the EU worked for years to build this case against them.

However, Apple is not backing down, and it plans to appeal this EU fine. That said, the company is now defending its side and presenting its case on how it complied with the law. From Apple's point of view, it complied with the DMA and did so with users in mind, growing more of its business to better suit their needs on the platform while being consistent with its brand.