On Thursday, EU antitrust regulators initiated proceedings to ensure Apple complies with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates opening its closed ecosystem to competitors or face significant fines.
The European Commission, through these “specification proceedings,” will outline Apple’s obligations under the DMA, which came into effect last year. EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager emphasized that this is the first instance of such proceedings, aimed at promoting Apple’s compliance through constructive dialogue.
The first proceeding targets Apple’s iOS features for devices such as smartwatches, headphones, and virtual reality headsets, specifying how Apple must ensure interoperability for functions like notifications and device pairing. The second focuses on how Apple handles developer and third-party requests for interoperability, ensuring a transparent and fair process.
Apple expressed willingness to cooperate but warned that weakening its ecosystem could pose security risks to consumers. The company faces fines of up to 10% of its global revenue if it fails to meet the DMA’s requirements. The Commission plans to conclude the proceedings within six months.
