I live a unique life, constantly switching between different smartphone platforms. I wish it was easier to share files between Apple and Android phones, so I was excited when I heard that the EU Commission asked Apple to open AirDrop.
Under the guise “effective interoperability”the smartphone industry is promoting this.The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a request from the European Commission to Apple that it opens the gates a little bit more of its walled-garden so that Android users, and anyone else who wants to play inside can periodically do so.. The commission writes
The preliminary findings in the first specifications proceedings outline the proposed measure the Commission believes Apple should implement in order to effectively comply with their interoperability obligations relating to several iOS features of connectivity, which are primarily used by and for connected devices. These can include notifications, automatic WiFI connection, AirPlay or AirDrop as well as automatic Bluetooth audio switching.
The European Commission made a similar proposal in September but is now more specific about the areas it wants to open. The European Commission mentions notifications, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth Audio Switching, and AirDrop as the most exclusive and important offering of the Apple ecosystem.
Apple’s “interoperability report” responded that “it’s getting personal.” Apple claims that the DMA’s proposals will open its platform to a level that “puts users at risk by requiring them open their devices and their most sensitive data to companies that have a history of violating their privacy.”
You can read the full PDF on Apple’s Developer website. The company calls out Meta and its Properties explicitly.
“If Apple had to grant all these requests, Facebook Instagram and WhatsApp could allow Meta to read all the messages and emails on a user’s device, see all their phone calls, track all apps that they use, scan their photos, view their files and calendar, log their passwords and more. Apple has deliberately chosen not to access this data in order to offer the best possible protection to its users.
Apple insists on letting its users decide if they want to share information that is required for a specific user experience. Apple claims that the DMA’s request could lead to companies like Meta gaining unfettered access to devices and users’ most personal data. Meta has requested AirPlay, AppIntents, CarPlay and iPhone Mirroring.
Apple does a great job of marketing itself as a business that is first and foremost concerned with its users. I also don’t like the idea of opening Android up to all third-party players. I’m sure that we’ll all be safer and more secure if we stay in our own lanes.
Apple could, in a sense, cede this to Google. Android, for example, uses Google Cast and Quick Share in order to share streaming and files among devices. AirPlay and AirDrop are not necessary to achieve this experience. Apple must allow this kind of third-party use. Even on iOS, most streaming apps default to Google Cast when they detect devices on a network.
The EU Commission will “carefully evaluate” the feedback provided by Apple and other “interested” parties. It has six months to review all of this and decide how Apple should comply, in a fair way for all users. I’m curious to see what happens. Apple may not be happy if it means that it’s easier to send photos to Android devices.
