Apple has announced that three major features in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia will not be available to European users this fall. These features include iPhone screen mirroring on the Mac, SharePlay screen sharing, and the entire Apple Intelligence suite of generative AI features. This decision is attributed to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
In a statement made by Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz, the company expressed its motivation to make new technologies accessible to users worldwide. However, due to regulatory uncertainties brought about by the DMA, Apple believes it will not be able to roll out these features to EU users this year. The concern is related to the interoperability requirements of the DMA, which could potentially compromise the integrity of Apple products and risk user privacy and data security.
While it is unclear which specific aspects of the DMA led to this decision, it is possible that Apple is worried about being required to give competitors access to user data collected for Apple Intelligence features. This divergence in functionality and features for Apple devices in the EU versus other regions is not the first. Previously, Apple opened up iOS to third-party app stores in Europe but not in other regions. Critics argue that Apple’s compliance with this requirement was limited and came with restrictions for app developers.
Although Apple has expressed openness to finding a solution, there is no specified timeline for when these features might be available to EU customers. As of now, the features are expected to launch in other regions in the fall while EU users will have to wait. The company is committed to collaborating with the European Commission to ensure that these features can be delivered to EU customers without compromising their safety and security.
