BRUSSELS, Sept 19 (Askume) – The European Union’s anti-competition regulator on Thursday launched a process to ensure Apple (AAPL.O) complies with landmark rules requiring it to maintain a closed ecosystem, or face a hefty fine.
Under a so-called regulatory procedure, the European Commission will clarify what steps Apple needs to take to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force last year.
EU anti-competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement: “Today, for the first time, we are using the standard procedure under the DMA to guide Apple into a constructive dialogue on effective compliance with its interoperability obligations.”
The first action targeted iOS connectivity features and functionality of smartwatches, headphones, virtual reality headsets and other internet-connected devices, the EU competition agency said.
It will detail how Apple provides effective interoperability for features like notifications, device pairing, and connectivity.
The second lawsuit relates to how Apple handles iOS and iPadOS interoperability requests submitted by developers and third parties, and requires the company to ensure a transparent, timely, and fair process.
The committee aims to complete both actions within six months.
Apple said it would continue to work constructively with the committee but cautioned of the risks.
“Over time, weakening the security measures we have put in place will put European consumers at risk and give bad actors more ways to access their devices and data,” the statement said.
If Apple fails to comply with the DMA, it could face a fine of up to 10% of its annual global turnover.
