Apple Urges EU to Reconsider Digital Markets Act Rules

Apple has called on European Union regulators to reassess how the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) impacts EU citizens using its products.

The company said the legislation has forced it to delay the rollout of several features in Europe, including iPhone Mirroring and real-time translation with AirPods, citing technical and engineering challenges.

In a statement, Apple explained that the DMA requires the company to make certain features work with non-Apple products and apps before they can be released to its users. This, it said, has led to delays in introducing new innovations to the EU market.

Apple has long opposed the DMA, which sets strict dos and don’ts for major technology firms such as Google’s parent Alphabet and Apple’s own Safari browser. The law aims to curb anti-competitive practices by Big Tech before they become entrenched. Penalties for violations can reach up to 10% of a company’s global turnover, or as high as 20% for repeat infringements.

In April, the European Commission fined Apple €500 million ($588 million), accusing it of breaching rules that allow app developers to direct users to payment options outside the App Store. Apple is appealing the decision, which applies to companies with annual EU sales of at least €7.5 billion or a market value of €75 billion and above.

Other tech giants, including Meta, have also faced penalties under the law. In recent years, the EU has issued billions in fines against companies such as Google, which alone has paid over $8 billion in antitrust penalties, while Apple has been separately ordered to repay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland.

Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the EU’s competition and technology rules, calling them unfair to American firms. In August, he threatened new tariffs and export restrictions on advanced technology and semiconductors in retaliation for digital services taxes imposed on US tech companies.