The antitrust regulators of the European Union have launched an action against Apple as it seeks to force the tech giant to open its closed ecosystem up to other competitors.
If Apple does not comply, major financial losses are imposed by the newly implemented Digital Markets Act (DMA) on it.
EU Cracks Down on Apple's Closed Ecosystem
The Digital Markets Act came into effect last year. The idea behind the DMA is to level the playing field for competitors against powerhouses such as Apple by targeting "gatekeepers."
So, the first step in this process of implementing the DMA comes under the specification proceedings, where the European Commission outlines the new requirements that Apple will need to comply with.
"Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue," EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
According to Reuters, the EU will make sure that key iOS connectivity features are available for competitors by Apple. This includes functionalities for smartwatches, headphones, virtual reality headsets, and other internet-connected devices.
The Commission will also show the tech giant in detail how it should ensure the interoperability of its products efficiently.
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iOS Connectivity and Interoperability Obstacles
Big concerns by the commission are posed by Apple's connectivity features on iOS. The commission will outline how the Apple device company should change its operating systems to allow competitors to have access to some of these vital functions like notification, device pairing, and connectivity.
This is, therefore, an extremely huge change for Apple as its ecosystem has been very tightly closed, and interoperability requirements would make Apple open up a clear path for other manufacturers and developers to integrate their products seamlessly with iOS.
Third-Party Developers and the Way of Interoperability
The other practice the EU launched against Apple is its handling of developers' and third parties ' requests for interoperability to their iOS and iPad. This concerns transparency and fair competition that arises out of how these requests are treated by Apple.
The Commission deemed it important that the process of dealing with requests of developers should be transparent and timely.
In its words, developers need "an effective and predictable path to interoperability." This is important not only for fostering competition but also for encouraging innovation in the tech space.
Both of these measures are likely to take up to six months. And the result might heavily influence Apple as well as its negotiation with developers and hardware producers.
Counter Response from Apple: Balancing Compliance and Consumer Protection
Though Apple stated that it is more than willing to cooperate with the European Commission, the latter warned the company about risks after issuing a statement warning that undermining the protections it has developed over the years will expose European consumers to cybersecurity risks.
The Cupertino-based firm has argued for quite some time that its closed system is safer through the control of peripheral devices and their software entering the system. The Commission doesn't take much consideration toward this and is more focused on fair competition and innovation; that is, dominance by one must not be stifling innovation as well as limiting consumer choices.
It aims to make it possible for adequate competition within a digital ecosystem under the DMA.
The EU's antitrust moves will, thus, bring high stakes to Apple. An undertaking of this nature that fails to meet the threshold set by the new Digital Markets Act may see the firm fined. It means that for consumers, the DMA pokes on the door of a more interoperable device, which shall retain an open and competitive market.
The next six months would, therefore be a defining moment for both parties, specifically Apple and the EU as they would negotiate how the outcome might shape the functions of Apple's ecosystem in Europe.
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