The rivalry between Apple and Meta Platforms has intensified as the two tech giants clash over interoperability demands under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple has raised significant concerns about Meta’s repeated requests for access to its software tools, citing potential risks to user privacy and security.
EU’s Digital Markets Act Explained
The DMA, which took effect last year, is designed to curb monopolistic practices by requiring tech companies deemed “gatekeepers” to open their platforms to competitors and app developers. Failure to comply could result in fines as high as 10% of a company’s global annual turnover. Apple, categorized as a gatekeeper, faces mounting pressure to allow interoperability with its services, including iOS notifications and connected devices like the Apple Watch and Vision Pro.
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Meta’s Interoperability Demands
According to a report from Apple, Meta has submitted 15 interoperability requests — more than any other company. These requests seek access to Apple’s technology stack for integration with Meta’s devices, such as its VR headset, Meta Quest, and other offerings. Apple alleges that many of these requests aim to alter core functionalities unrelated to Meta’s hardware, raising concerns about potential privacy violations.
Apple stated that granting such permissions could allow Meta to monitor a wide range of user data, including messages, emails, app usage, phone calls, photos, files, and even passwords. The iPhone maker pointed to Meta’s track record of privacy fines in Europe as a cause for alarm. “If Apple were to grant all of these requests, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp could enable Meta to access virtually every aspect of a user’s device,” Apple warned.
Meta Pushes Back
In response, a Meta spokesperson accused Apple of using privacy as a smokescreen to justify anticompetitive behavior. “What Apple is actually saying is they don’t believe in interoperability,” the spokesperson said. Meta argues that the interoperability demands mandated by the DMA are essential for fostering competition and consumer choice.
European Commission’s Role
The European Commission, which enforces the DMA, has outlined preliminary measures for Apple to comply with interoperability requirements. These measures include providing app developers with clear criteria for assessing requests, regular updates on their status, and a transparent dispute resolution process. Apple will also be required to ensure interoperability across all functionalities of iOS notifications for its devices and any future connected hardware. The Commission has invited feedback on these measures from stakeholders, with a final decision expected by March next year.
What’s at Stake?
Apple’s resistance highlights broader tensions between privacy and competition in the tech industry. While Apple emphasizes user security, Meta frames the issue as a battle against monopolistic practices. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications, not just for the two companies but for the broader tech landscape.
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With the European Commission closely monitoring Apple’s compliance, the stakes are high. If Apple is found in violation of the DMA, it could face substantial fines and be forced to open its ecosystem in unprecedented ways.