The European Commission has begun to set out legal requirements for Apple to open up all of iOS and iPadOS to third parties, on top of allowing rival App Stores and payment systems.
The European Commission has begun to set out legal requirements for Apple to open up all of iOS and iPadOS to third parties, on top of allowing rival App Stores and payment systems.
As one European Union investigation has found that Apple is in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Commission is ordering the company to comply with the next stage of the law. It has formally announced what it calls two specification proceedings, which will lay out the rules and the timetable by which Apple must allow third-party access to all of its iPhone hardware and software features.
« 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 », said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy in a statement. « We are focused on ensuring fair and open digital markets. »
« Effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this », she continued. « This process will provide clarity for developers, third parties and Apple.
