The European Union (EU) wants Apple to make iPhones and iPads work better with other devices, like smartwatches and earbuds. This comes after two investigations started in September, but Apple is worried this could hurt user privacy.
On Wednesday, the EU gave Apple ideas on how to make iPhones work better with products from other companies. They suggested changes to help iPhones connect more easily to things like earbuds, smartwatches, and headsets. The EU also wants Apple to be clearer when talking to developers who ask to make their products work with iPhones and iPads. This means explaining better why Apple says yes or no to certain requests.
The EU’s ideas include making it easier to switch between audio devices, keep Bluetooth and networks running in the background, and reply to messages from devices like Garmin watches. They also want to improve how iPhones share data using things like Airdrop, Airplay, and Wi-Fi sharing.
Apple isn’t happy about these changes. They say companies like Meta (which owns Facebook) are asking for too much access to iPhone tools, which could lower the privacy that Apple users expect. In a paper they wrote, Apple said Meta has asked 15 times to use Apple’s technology. Apple thinks this could lead to security problems that are hard to fix.
Meta says Apple is just trying to stop competition and isn’t being fair. A Meta spokesperson told Bloomberg that Apple uses “privacy” as an excuse to avoid making its products work with others.
The EU is asking for feedback from companies by January 9, 2025. After that, they will decide on the final rules by March 2025. If Apple doesn’t follow the rules, the EU might investigate and could fine Apple up to 10% of its worldwide sales.
