Apple has appealed parts of the Digital Markets Act law citing user privacy concerns, via Axios. Specifically, Apple is contesting the interoperability requirements that say data like notification content and WiFi networks should be made available to third-parties.
Apple says the DMA as written allows others to “access personal information that even Apple doesn’t see”. This is because features like notification rendering and WiFi network data are currently handled on-device and stored in an encrypted fashion, so Apple cannot see that stuff. However, the DMA does not necessarily require third-party agents who would be able to access this same data to commit to the same standards of privacy and security.
Apple voiced much of these same concerns back in March, when the EU officially ordered implementation of interoperability specifications.
The March announcement included a timeline which said sharing of iOS notifications should be made available in a beta version of iOS by the end of 2025, with a feature complete final release by June 2026. Similarly, facilitating automatic WiFi network connectivity to third-party devices should be made possibly by the end of 2025, with Apple committed to adopt certain additional features by June 2026.
Companies like Meta, Garmin and Spotify argue that denying access to user notifications and other device configuration information serve as barriers to entry to iPhone customers. If they could access this data, they say they could more fairly compete with the integrated experiences of Apple’s devices like the Apple Watch and AirPods.
The deadline for the appeal was the end of May, so it’ll be a few months before the EU reaches a final judgement. Assuming the EU’s original order stays in place, we should see Apple add initial support for these capabilities as part of an update to iOS 19 (or should that be iOS 26) by the end of the year.
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