
Apple and Meta Clash Over Interoperability Amid EU DMA Mandates | Image Source: www.reuters.com
BRUSSELS, 21 December 2024 – The Apple and Meta platforms are blocked in a burning dispute over requests for interoperability under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). The rivalry between technology giants increased when Apple criticized Meta’s numerous requests for access to its technology stack, citing privacy and security concerns. Meta, in turn, accused Apple of using confidentiality arguments to hide anti-competitive behaviour.
Tensions in the EU DMA Sparks between giant technicians
The DMA, which came into effect last year, directs large technology companies to allow competitors to interact with their services or to be fined up to 10% of their total annual income. According to Reuters, Meta submitted 15 requests for interoperability with Apple, the highest of any company. These applications cover broad access to Apple’s patented tools and systems, including compatibility with Meta smart glasses and virtual reality products such as Meta Quest.
Apple increases privacy and security alarms
Apple expressed strong reservations about Meta’s requests, stating that their implementation could compromise the privacy and security of users. “If Apple were to grant all these requests, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp could allow Meta to read all their messages and emails on a user’s device, see each phone call they make or receive, track every application they use, scan all their photos, watch their files and calendar events, save all their passwords and more,” Apple said in a report.
Apple also referred to Meta’s previous privacy violations and fines in Europe to reinforce its argument. Cupertino maintains that many of Meta’s requests are not linked to legitimate interoperability purposes and could compromise sensitive user data.
Meta discovers Apple’s concerns
Meta resisted Apple’s position, accusing the company of using privacy as a smoke curtain for anti-competitive practices. “Apple says they don’t believe in interoperability,” said a Meta spokesperson. The spokesperson further stated that Apple’s privacy requests were unfounded and were strategically deployed in parallel competition.
Meta’s applications aim to improve compatibility between your device’s ecosystem and Apple’s software infrastructure. Products like Meta Quest, which represent Meta’s incursion into virtual and mixed reality, are at the heart of the company’s ambitions to master next-generation IT platforms.
European Commission proposes compliance measures
In response to the dispute, the European Commission has identified preliminary measures to ensure Apple’s compliance with the DMA. According to Reuters, these measures include Apple’s obligation to clearly define its processes, schedules and criteria for assessing developers’ interoperability requests. The EU also proposes that Apple provide regular updates and a fair conciliation mechanism to resolve technical disagreements.
The measures are extended to ensure interoperability between iOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro and other devices connected to Apple. Stakeholders, including individuals and organizations, have until January 9 to provide information on these proposals. A final EU decision on Apple’s compliance is expected in March 2025.
High Stakes for Apple and Meta
The outcome of this conflict has important implications for both companies. For Apple, DMA membership could set a precedent for how it processes interoperability requests around the world. Meta, on the other hand, considers that this is a crucial time to establish its devices as indispensable components of a wider and interconnected ecosystem.
While EU measures aim to balance competition and user protection, the conflict highlights broader challenges in regulating large technologies. As these companies continue to expand their influence on hardware and software, ensuring fair competition without compromising user safety remains a formidable task for regulators.
As the March 2025 deadline approaches, the technology industry will closely monitor developments between Apple, Meta and the European Commission. Bets are high not only for the companies concerned, but also for the wider route of regulating the digital market worldwide.