Thought Leadership
The EU Commission is urging Apple to open up the iPhone even more to rivals. This should enable computer watches, headphones and digital glasses from other manufacturers to work better with the phone than before.
Apple countered that some companies wanted to use the provisions of the new EU DMA law to gain access to user data.
According to the DMA (Digital Markets Act), operators of large platforms may not give themselves an advantage. On this basis, the Commission’s proposals demand, among other things, that technology from other providers should be placed on an equal footing with Apple’s own devices when it comes to notifications, file transfer and audio functions, for example.
“Data-hungry companies”
In return, Apple warned that there are “data-hungry” companies – and referred specifically to the Facebook group Meta. The latter had so far made 15 requests for in-depth access that would weaken the protection of user data. Meta replied that Apple always referred to data protection for no reason when the company was accused of anti-competitive behavior.
If Apple were to agree to all Meta requests, Meta would be able to see all user messages and emails, all photos, all calendar requests and data on every call via Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, among other things, the iPhone company emphasized.
Meta and Apple have been at loggerheads for some time
Meta is a direct competitor of Apple in the digital eyewear business. The companies have already argued about data protection issues in the past. Currently, Apple’s own devices such as the Apple Watch computer watch or the AirPods headphones have more functions in combination with iPhones than competing technology. Apple considers the use of such innovations to be part of the competition.
dpa
