EU regulators have rejected Apple’s request for an 18-month exemption from its obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which would have delayed the rollout of the upgraded Siri AI in the EU. Apple claimed that EU tech rules were an obstacle to launching Siri AI on iPhones and iPads, but the European Commission emphasized that the decision to postpone the rollout was solely Apple’s. They noted that Apple failed to develop interoperability solutions that comply with the DMA’s privacy and security standards, which are designed to reduce the dominance of major tech firms and enhance competition and consumer choice in the market.

Apple: Apple develops and sells consumer electronics such as iPhones and iPads along with related software and services. The company announced it would initially withhold its upgraded Siri AI features from EU users on those devices while seeking regulatory accommodations under the Digital Markets Act. Regulators rejected the request, placing the rollout decision squarely with Apple.
Thomas Regnier: Thomas Regnier serves as a spokesperson for the European Commission on digital policy matters. He directly addressed Apple’s claims by stating that the choice to delay Siri AI rests solely with the company and that the requested exemption from DMA obligations was not available.
European Commission: The European Commission acts as the executive arm of the European Union, enforcing competition and digital market rules including the Digital Markets Act. It turned down Apple’s bid for an 18-month exemption from interoperability requirements tied to the new Siri AI assistant. Commission statements emphasize that nothing in the DMA prevents Apple from launching products in the EU.

Compliance: The Digital Markets Act requires designated companies to ensure interoperability for key features while meeting privacy and security standards.
Regulation: The Digital Markets Act targets the market power of large technology firms to foster greater competition and consumer choice.