Leaked EU Document Could Spell Major Changes for App Store, Messages, FaceTime, Browsers, and Siri

[MacRumors]

A leaked version of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) indicates that Apple could be forced to make major changes to the App Store, Messages, FaceTime, third-party browsers, and Siri.

According to a leaked working document intended to reflect the "final" version of the DMA, seen by MacRumors, the EU is planning to enact changes that seek to have a significant impact on the way that companies like Apple will have to manage their products, apps, and services in Europe, particularly with regards to "gatekeeping."

Earlier versions of the Digital Markets Act set out demands for big tech companies to share metrics with competitors, ensure that all apps are uninstallable, and not preference their own apps and services. Companies that fail to do so may face large fines, as high as ten percent of the company's worldwide annual turnover, or even forced disinvestment.

One of the headline parts of the DMA attempts to prompt major changes to the App Store, forcing Apple to allow users to download apps from the internet and third-party app stores and allow developers to use in-app payment systems of their choice and promote offers to users. Amendments to the DMA outlined in the leaked document seek to address browser engine gatekeeping and platform interoperability.

The document expands provisions to stop companies from requiring developers to use a particular browser engine. This change is likely intended to directly address Apple's requirement that all browsers running on iOS and iPadOS that use its own WebKit technology, and would allow third-party browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera to stop using WebKit and switch to Chromium like their desktop counterparts.

• Should Apple Continue to Ban Rival Browser Engines on iOS?

New wide-reaching interoperability obligations will require companies to ensure that, under certain circumstances, their messaging, voice-calling, and video calling apps and services will work with rival services and include end-to-end encryption. This could have implications for iMessage and FaceTime, but it is not clear how far Apple will need to make changes to its services to meet the DMA's interoperability requirements.

The DMA has also been amended to add provisions for regulating virtual assistants like Siri, stating that users should be given the option to change the default virtual assistant to a third-party option when using it for the first time. Other changes to the DMA relate to preventing companies from giving their own apps and services preferential treatment, such as when presenting rankings or search results.

EU lawmakers provisionally approved the DMA in March. Once the final document is officially published, the European Parliament and the Council will need to approve it before it can come into effect. Digital competition chief Margrethe Vestager said last month that she expects the DMA to come into force "sometime in October."

Earlier this week, members of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in support of legislation that will compel Apple to offer a USB-C port on all iPhones, iPads, and AirPods in Europe.

Article Link: Leaked EU Document Could Spell Major Changes for App Store, Messages, FaceTime, Browsers, and Siri

 

[DHagan4755]

This sounds like buying a Chevy & being given the option to replace OnStar with Dodge's UConnect.

 

[Quu]

As time goes on my desire for sideloading and installing apps that Apple would never allow grows stronger so I have to say I support the EU lawmakers in this endeavour.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Or buying a Chevy and asking for a full powertrain warranty after a Ford engine swap.

Apple: We can allow side loading and self repair at unauthorized repair locations, but it will retroactively void your warranty, and if you are "leasing" a device on a plan, you are immediately required to pay the balance in full.

Seems like government officials time and resources would be better spent on controlling government spending and providing public services.

 

[rpmurray]

Is it too late to have them include a provision that Apple is required to make a 27 inch (or bigger) iMac?

 

[WiseAJ]

Massive government overreach. Play hardball Apple and threaten to pull out of the EU. They need you more than you need them.

 

[GMShadow]

forcing Apple to allow users to download apps from the internet

Oh this is a totally great thing that will have no negative effects whatsoever.


It's a shame we can't fine the supporters of this 100% of the damages that will result.

 

[siddavis]

As time goes on my desire for sideloading and installing apps that Apple would never allow grows stronger so I have to say I support the EU lawmakers in this endeavour.

Or, you could... you know... buy an Android device.
I support you in this endeavor.

 

[vipergts2207]

Good on the EU for protecting competition.

 

[djcerla]

If I want Android, then I buy Android.

Leave the iPhone alone.

 

[joelypolly]

Basically the EU has just woken up that they lost the digital era to the US and is now scrambling to salvage something from it.

 

[jjpiv]

If GDPR serves as an indication, this is going to turn into a horrible mess. I have no doubt the EU is well-intentioned, but that doesn’t make what they’re planning a good idea. The change to browser engine requirements is a good move, but everything else seems half-baked. Are they of the position that no company should have a competitive advantage with the products and services they offer?

 

[vipergts2207]

This sounds like buying a Chevy & being given the option to replace OnStar with Dodge's UConnect.

That might make sense if Chevy and Dodge were the only ones making infotainment systems.

Or buying a Chevy and asking for a full powertrain warranty after a Ford engine swap.

Seems like government officials time and resources would be better spent on controlling government spending and providing public services.

This has nothing to do with a warranty. If you damage your phone, you're still liable.

 

[nwcs]

The ideas are not inherently bad but the reality is the infrastructure isn’t there to do this without massive architectural and structural changes across the board. I doubt all of this could even be done satisfactorily even if nothing else was worked on for two years.

It does seem that governments are becoming hostile to vertical integration. However they are hyper focusing on tech when they should look at how multiple industries are set up if they want to prevent this kind of lock in. Lots of similar behavior in places in other non tech industries.

 

[GMShadow]

If GDPR serves as an indication, this is going turn into a horrible mess. I have no doubt the EU is well-intentioned, but that doesn’t make what they’re planning a good idea. I can appreciate the change to browser engine requirements, but everything else seems totally half-baked. Are they of the position that no company should have a competitive advantage with the products and services they offer? This makes zero sense.

They're of the opinion that no American company should ever have a competitive advantage. If Apple were German or French, none of this would ever have come up.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

Overregulation is not the way.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Then Apple should indicate that you're communicating with someone that has side loaded the app for security reasons.

 

[Deguello]

Good on the EU for protecting competition.

Third parties imposing requirements on consensual transactions between other parties are less about protecting competition and more about control or favoring certain competitors.

Apple does a lot of annoying things, but at least they aren’t imposed with the force of law.

 

[Xdibo]

Living in the EU - this kind of typical bureaucracy-nonsense is making me more angry by the day. Are there really EU-citizens wanting to see this kind absurd requirements implemented - or is it merely a kind of therapy to keep a massive army of public services busy? The only thing I know is that Apple is increasingly more expensive in the EU and this kind of ridiculous exaggeration isn't going to make the pricing-picture look better.

 

[ouimetnick]

I’m all for allowing side loading and forcing Apple to make good on its promise me make FaceTime open source. That’s it. Why does iMessage need to work with WhatsApp when I can download WhatsApp instead?

Apple should allow users to download apps outside of the App Store like a Mac, just as long as they are signed Apps (that’s the default setting in macOS)

If non signed apps were to be allowed, they’d have to throw numerous security dialogs at the user and require the user to authenticate with their passcode and faceID or touchID.

 

[bcortens]

The law is well intentioned but I think it goes too far.

Generally I think that its important to look at scale with this sort of thing, as a platform becomes crucial for business in the way iOS and Android have, the need for regulation grows, and it is definitely clear that the iPhone has grown to the point that it could be justified in forcing the platform to open up a bit.
I think they go too far here with things like the default app replacement and voice assistant replacement. These seem like vast overreach as they aren't just about apps on the phone but about the APIs that would enable apps to talk to each other that could require a vast redesign of iOS.

 

[russell_314]

The only thing governments are good at doing is killing people and taking their money. They have the opposite of the Midas touch ?

 

[fernelius]

Seems like government officials time and resources would be better spent on controlling government spending and providing public services.

and addressing long-standing over-dependence on a particular supplier in the energy sector?

 

[jjpiv]

Good on the EU for protecting competition.

Good on you for massively oversimplifying the implications of what they’re proposing.

 

[vipergts2207]

Third parties imposing requirements on consensual transactions between other parties are less about protecting competition and more about control or favoring certain competitors.

Apple does a lot of annoying things, but at least they aren’t imposed with the force of law.

Just because two parties consent to a transaction doesn't make it legal. Particularly when there is a massive power disparity between the two parties.

Good on you for massively oversimplifying the implications of what they’re proposing.

I've had many massive, in-depth conversations on this topic in this forum already. If you have a point, feel free to make one.