Apple has decided to delay the launch of its three new AI features in Europe, affecting consumers in all 27 European Union (EU) member countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
While Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing features will be launched elsewhere this September, they will initially be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices and in American English.
Apple has decided to delay the launch of its three new AI features in Europe, affecting consumers in all 27 European Union (EU) member countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Laurenz Heymann from Unsplash
Apple Delaying AI-Powered Features Launch in Europe
Apple announced Friday that it will delay introducing its latest AI capabilities across Europe, citing concerns over regulatory compliance.
The tech giant said that European customers will not have access to these new features due to regulatory issues related to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
This law aims to make the digital economy fairer by requiring tech companies to ensure that rival products and services can function with their devices.
According to Bloomberg, Apple postponed the launch of its iOS 18's flagship AI features, Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing in the EU this year.
Apple's decision to postpone the rollout of its advanced AI features in Europe reveals its concerns posed by the EU's regulatory attempts to rein in Big Tech.
As the landscape of digital regulations evolves, Apple's actions highlight the balancing act between innovation and regulatory compliance in the tech industry.
Apple showcased one of its latest AI services, Apple Intelligence, during its recent Worldwide Developers Conference. This service includes text summarization, image creation, and smart data retrieval alongside a revamped Siri.
The unveiling sparked a positive response in the stock market, as Apple's shares rose by 9% after the conference, pushing its market value beyond $3.2 trillion.
As of Friday afternoon in New York, Apple's shares were trading at $210.48, up 0.4%. As part of the decision, iPhone mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing features will also be delayed.
iPhone mirroring allows users to virtually display their device on a Mac screen and fully manage it. SharePlay enables screen sharing from an iPad or iPhone to another device, allowing remote control for technical support purposes.
Apple has once again blamed regulations for restricting features for EU users. Earlier this year, the company said it would block the ability to add home screen web apps in Europe due to DMA rules.
However, it later reversed this decision, citing unspecified "requests." Google similarly removed third-party apps and watch faces from European devices, citing new regulatory requirements.
Apple underscored its apprehensions regarding the DMA, highlighting potential challenges in meeting interoperability requirements that could compromise product integrity.
However, the company did not elaborate on how these regulations could impact user data security and privacy. Enacted in 2022, the DMA aims to promote fair competition by curbing Big Tech's practices of suppressing rivals.
It prohibits these companies from prioritizing their own services over competitors, locking in customer data exclusively within their platforms, and restricting transparency concerning their use of advertising data.
