There is evidence that the EU can obtain an Apple intelligence after all – thanks to a small difference in the publication notes for MacOS Sequoia 15.1 and iOS 18.1. It was previously thought that AI functionality would not be available in the block on an Apple device due to the law on digital markets.
Apple Intelligence is a series of generative AI capabilities to integrate into the next generation of Apple devices operating on iOS 18Ipados 18, and MacOS Sequoia. In June, the Cupertino giant revealed that EU devices will not be delivered with Apple Intelligence this year, via Bloomberg. This was due to “regulatory uncertainty caused by the law on digital markets”.
The DMA places regulations on technology giants operating in the EU to promote competition, prevent monopolistic practices and improve the choice of users on the digital market. Among other things, he asks companies to share data with third parties and prevents them from promoting their own products and services above their rivals.
Despite having previously said that EU users would not have access to Apple Intelligence on any device, Apple’s BETA 1 version notes for MacOS Sequoia 15.1 And iOS 18.1 suggest the opposite, as spotted by 9TO5MAC.
SEE: Keynote Apple WWDC: iOS 18, iPad OS 18 and MacOS 15 Sequoia to come in the fall
Beta versions of operating systems have been available for developers since July 29. The scores of macOS that accompany him say: “Apple Intelligence is not currently available in China”, while iOS notes say that “Apple Intelligence is not currently available in the EU or China.”
As such, EU -based developers with compatible Macs can download the beta version of MacOS Sequoia 15.1 and try Apple Intelligence, provided that their language of device is defined to us English.
They can also download the beta versions of iOS 18.1 or iPados 18.1 on their iPhone or iPad, but they cannot use Apple Intelligence on them. When operating systems are made available to all Apple EU users, this can always be the case.
Apple refused to provide a comment on differences in publication notes.
Why Apple could free Apple Intelligence to Mac users based on the EU and always comply with the DMA
The distinction between the release of Apple Intelligence in the EU on macOS rather than iOS or iPados aligns, in fact, with the DMA.
The requirements of the law apply only to the 24 basic platform services Offered by the seven “guardian” companies, notably Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Booking, Bytedance, Meta and Microsoft.
Of these 24, only the App Store, Safari, iOS and iPados are considered as basic platform services – not macOS. This is probably due to the fact that its market share is relatively low compared to other operating systems, which means that it does not have the same level of control or influence on the market.
Consequently, in theory, Apple could release Apple’s intelligence on MacOS Sequoia 15.1 in the EU without respecting the requirements of the DMA. He cannot do it with Apple Intelligence on iOS 18.1 and iPados 18.1 without facing a fine of the European Commission.
SEE: MacOS 15 Sequoia cheat sheet: release date, name, features and more
We do not know why Apple refuses to modify the Apple Intelligence to comply with the DMA on all devices
Apple remains with regard to the details of its reluctance to modify Apple’s intelligence, as well as the iPhone mirror and SharePlay screen sharing, so that they comply with the DMA. But the obligation to allow third -party companies to interoperate with them can be a contributing factor.
According to a press release that Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz provided The penisThe company is “concerned about the fact that the requirements of interoperability of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products so as to risk the confidentiality of users and data security”.
However, these interoperability requirements largely apply to messaging services rather than Ais as Apple Intelligence. Messaging platforms should allow users to communicate on different applications, and data must be easily transferable between services to comply with the DMA.
Talk to Europa Forum In June, Margrethe Vestager, the European Competition Commissioner, said: “I find it very interesting that (Apple says)” We will now deploy AI where we are not obliged to allow competition. »»
She described it as an “open declaration according to which they know 100% that it is another way of deactivating the competition where they already have a bastion”. If Apple to provide more detailed information on the reasons why the fact that Apple’s information complies with the DMA presents a security problem, the vestager point could be quickly refuted.
Thomas Régnier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, told TechrePublic in a statement sent by e-mail: “The EU is an attractive market of 450 million potential users and has always been open to business to any company that wishes to provide services on the European internal market.
“All companies are invited to offer their services in Europe, provided that they comply with EU law.
“It is the responsibility of companies to ensure that their services comply with our legislation.”
The Apple Intelligence of EU users would have serious financial consequences – and Apple knows it
Many analysts expect Apple Intelligence’s inclusion to push consumers to upgrade their devices, because only the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max will initially be compatible.
Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush Securities, said Reuters It expects more than 15% of iPhone users to go to the iPhone 16 still announced “because Apple Intelligence is the Killer application that many were waiting for.”
In addition, Europe represents more Apple total income districtSo the loss of the region market when Apple Intelligence was launched would cost the company very expensive. As such, the company is still in communication with the European Commission to see if a solution can be found.
Last week, Apple CEO, Tim Cook, said on an investor call that Apple was “committed” to the regulators to make the features of AI at the disposal of “everyone” after being questioned about the deployment of Apple Intelligence in the EU and China, according to 9TO5MAC.
Sainz’s declaration in the rod also said: “We are committed to collaborating with the European Commission in order to find a solution that would allow us to provide these features to our EU customers without compromising their security.”
What is the law on digital markets?
The DMA, created in 2022, is an EU regulation which intends to promote equity and competition between digital products and services. He has established obligations for certain influential technological companies, nicknamed “guards”, who must comply with their daily operations.
These cover:
- Provide users with access to data from data custodians accumulate about them.
- Users monitoring outside of their platforms.
- Allow third parties to interoperate in their platforms.
- Allowing users to uninstall any preinstalled software or application.
- Priority services and products offered by third parties on the Gatekeeper platform.
Fines of non-compliance with the DMA can represent up to 10% of the company’s total turnover of the company, up to 20% in the event of a repeated offense. In more extreme cases, the Commission may order an organization to sell all or part of its activities or prohibit the organization from acquiring related services.
Last month, Apple became the first giant of technology to be Oblique obligatory by the European Commission for violation of the DMA.
The Commission noted that Apple has three sets of commercial rules which ultimately prevent iOS application developers from directing their users to third -party purchase options. This goes against the DMA, which indicates that the developers should be able to orient their customers towards the purchase of options outside the App Store easily and free of charge.