Apple Appeals EU’s DMA Ruling on iOS Interoperability, Citing Security and Innovation Risks

pple has formally appealed a European Union ruling that requires its iOS operating system to become more interoperable with third-party products, according to The Wall Street Journal. The appeal, filed on May 30 with the EU’s General Court in Luxembourg, challenges the European Commission’s March decision under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

At the heart of the dispute is the EU's demand that Apple open nine key iOS features—including third-party access to notifications, wireless data transfers, and connections with non-Apple wearables and VR headsets—in an effort to foster greater competition in the digital marketplace.

In a statement, Apple defended its position:

“At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together to deliver the unique experience our users love and expect. The EU's interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation.”

Apple raised specific concerns about data privacy and security, claiming that DMA enforcement could force the company to expose sensitive user data to rival developers. According to the company, some third parties have already requested access to:

  • Notification content

  • A user’s full Wi-Fi network history

  • Other device data Apple itself doesn’t access

“We are appealing these decisions on behalf of our users,” the spokesperson added, “to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect.”

The European Commission has reiterated that its directives are "fully in line with the DMA", and has stated it "will defend them in Court." Under the DMA, tech companies deemed "gatekeepers" must meet strict new obligations or face fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue. In April, the EU already fined Apple €500 million for violating DMA anti-steering rules by restricting app developers from linking to outside payment options.

What’s Next?
If Apple’s appeal is unsuccessful, it will have to comply with the DMA rulings or face escalating penalties. The case could set a precedent for how the EU enforces tech regulation—and how much control platform owners retain over their own ecosystems.

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