The European Union has proposed measures under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) aimed at bridging the gap between Apple and Android, changing the way these platforms work with third-party devices and services. The goal is to encourage Apple to open its own “zatvorenog ekosustava”including features like iOS notifications and AirDrop, so that third-party devices can use these capabilities.
Here’s an overview of the key items the EU expects Apple to meet if the proposals are adopted:
- iOS notifications: The EU wants Apple to allow third-party devices access to iOS notifications in the same way it allows its own devices. This includes forwarding notifications and enabling responses directly on connected devices, with the same efficiency as Apple products.
- AirDrop: Currently limited to Apple devices only, AirDrop may become available to third-party devices as well. Imagine sending files between iPhone and Android without the need for additional apps.
- Background execution: Third-party apps could be given the same background privileges as Apple devices, allowing them to connect and function even when they’re not actively running.
- Proximity matching: The easy pairing process Apple uses for AirPods and Apple Watch could be extended to third-party devices.
For years, Apple maintained a strictly controlled ecosystem, limiting access to the competition under the pretext “sigurnosti” or “korisnickog iskustva”. While this approach has worked well for Apple, competitors have struggled to achieve a similar level of integration.
Apple’s response to the EU’s interoperability proposals has been far from positive. The company has expressed serious concerns about the risks these changes may pose to user privacy and data security. Apple claims that while it supports the idea of a level playing field for developers, it wants to ensure that new interoperability features do not compromise user security.
According to Apple, “bez odgovarajuce zastite, omogucavanje trecim stranama pristup dijelovima korisnickih uredaja moglo bi otvoriti mogucnosti za kradu ili izlaganje osobnih podataka losim akterima.”
The tech giant is particularly wary of the possibility of companies like Meta abusing these new access permissions. The target has repeatedly requested access to sensitive technologies on Apple devices, including the microphone, iMessage and even AirPlay. Apple fears that such access would allow Meta to:
- reads all messages and e-mails of users,
- tracks every phone call the user makes or receives,
- records all used applications,
- scan all photos,
- browses files and events in the calendar,
- write down all passwords.
Apple has always prided itself on being the guardian of user privacy, claiming that it only collects personal data necessary to provide its products and services.
SOURCE
