EU regulators just killed Europe’s iOS developer industry
EU regulators have just done huge damage to iOS and iPadOS developers in Europe by putting them at the hugest possible disadvantage as Apple unleashes Apple Intelligence to developers elsewhere.
That’s because Apple announced that due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Siri AI will not be available on iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 for EU users – and nor will developers gain access to it.
In a twist of fate, EU users will still get Siri AI on macOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27, but not on iPhone or iPad. It means developers in the EU also won’t be able to test or build with the new Siri AI features on iOS/iPadOS.
Why has this stupid thing happened?
The root of the problem is the Europe’s evangelical reading of its own interoperability rules. EU regulators say these rules require that Apple give any competing AI system near-unlimited access to a user’s device, including the ability to read messages, make purchases, access files, and act across any app autonomously.
This is such an obvious threat to privacy and security, you’d think the regulators would see sense, but they don’t. Apple has tried very hard to explain how this creates serious security risks, citing research showing AI systems can be hijacked to steal passwords, photos, and alter account settings without user consent.
“We’re deeply disappointed that our EU users won’t have Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
Europe is not listening
“Our hope is to eventually bring Siri AI to the EU, and we will continue to engage with EU regulators on a path forward. However, their refusal to engage constructively on solutions that preserve privacy and security means we do not currently have a timeline for Siri AI’s availability on iOS and iPadOS in the EU.”
Apple even tried to build a solution, which it calls Trusted System Agent. The company describes this as a privacy-preserving intermediary that would let other virtual assistants safely access the same capabilities as Siri AI. It even offered an 18-month phased rollout plan. For reasons that probably make no sense to anyone really, the European Commission rejected both proposals.
Apple will keep trying
“Apple will continue working to bring these features to the European Union as safely as possible. However, given the clear dangers to EU users and the regulators’ failure to acknowledge these risks, there is currently no timeline for Siri AI’s availability in the EU on iOS and iPadOS.”
My suggestion? Apple users and developers across Europe should begin lobbying their European political representatives demanding change – and vote for alternative representation in 2029, which is the next time they’ll get a chance.
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