Apple delays Siri AI on EU iPhones and iPads amid Digital Markets Act dispute

The European Commission says Apple's decision not to launch Siri AI in the EU is Apple's alone, arguing that the company sought an exemption from Digital Markets Act interoperability rules instead of building a compliant privacy- and security-preserving solution. Apple, meanwhile, says regulators rejected its proposals and claims the DMA would require giving third-party AI systems overly broad access to users' devices. MacRumors reports: Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters in Brussels: "The decision not to roll out Siri AI in the EU is Apple's and Apple's only. Apple was simply unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet essential EU privacy and security standards. Instead of trying to find a suitable compliance solution, Apple simply made a request to the European Commission to be exempted from their interoperability obligations. That's not an option." Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, said the company was "deeply disappointed" and cited what it described as regulators' refusal to accept any of Apple's proposals, including a system called Trusted System Agent that would have allowed third-party virtual assistants to safely access the same device capabilities as Siri AI. The Commission's account tells a different story. Rather than negotiating over Apple's proposed solutions, regulators say Apple simply requested a blanket exemption from its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act, something the Commission says is not an available option. Apple's statement framed the DMA's requirements as demanding that any AI system be given "nearly unlimited access" to a user's device. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

It took a few years, but Apple finally made its AI look useful. Now millions of iPhone users in Europe are being told they won't be getting Siri AI anytime soon, if ever - and Apple wants them to blame the EU. Apple says its new AI-powered Siri will not launch on iPhones and iPads […]

The European Commission has responded to Apple's announcement that Siri AI will not launch in the EU, saying the decision is entirely Apple's and that the company sought an exemption from its legal obligations rather than a compliant solution. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters in Brussels (via Reuters) that Apple had failed to develop interoperability solutions meeting EU privacy and security standards, and instead asked to be let off the hook entirely. The decision not to roll out Siri AI in the EU is Apple's and Apple's only. Apple was simply unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet essential EU privacy and security standards. Instead of trying to find a suitable compliance solution, Apple simply made a request to the European Commission to be exempted from their interoperability obligations. That's not an option. The statement appears to contradict Apple's characterization of events somewhat. Apple announced yesterday that Siri AI would not be available in the EU on iOS or iPadOS, blaming regulators for refusing to engage constructively on proposed solutions. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, said the company was "deeply disappointed" and cited what it described as regulators' refusal to accept any of Apple's proposals, including a system called Trusted System Agent that would have allowed third-party virtual assistants to safely access the same device capabilities as ‌Siri‌ AI. The Commission's account tells a different story. Rather than negotiating over Apple's proposed solutions, regulators say Apple simply requested a blanket exemption from its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act, something the Commission says is not an available option. Apple's statement framed the DMA's requirements as demanding that any AI system be given "nearly unlimited access" to a user's device. When iOS 27 and Apple's other major new software updates are released later this year, users in the EU will not have access to ‌Siri‌ AI or any of its new features, including the app for revisiting and starting new conversations. Apple said it hopes to eventually bring ‌Siri‌ AI to the EU and will continue to engage with regulators, but offered no timeline.Tags: European Commission, European Union, Siri, Siri AIThis article, "EU Says Decision Not to Launch Siri AI in Europe Is Apple's Alone" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

A regulatory dispute has indefinitely delayed the release of Siri AI.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — The European Union (EU) on Tuesday rejected Apple's blame for the delayed rollout of its AI-enhanced voice assistant, saying it was up to the United States (US) giant to make products that follow the rules. Apple unveiled the AI overhaul for the iPhone on Monday, with a strengthened Siri -- dubbed Siri AI -- with the ability to imitate natural communication, track information across apps like Maps and Mail and carry out tasks. In a statement, the US company said it could not offer Siri AI in Europe because of the EU's online competition rules, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA). But EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier said "the decision not to roll out Siri AI in the EU is Apple's and Apple's only, because absolutely nothing in the DMA prohibits Apple from introducing new products in the EU". Under EU rules, the world's largest digital companies must ensure their products are interoperable, requiring Apple to open its products to features produced by its rivals. "Apple was simply unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet essential EU privacy and security standards," he told reporters. Apple sought an exemption from the EU's interoperability rules, Regnier said, but the European Commission did not give the green light. An exemption was "not an option", he explained, as it would mean favouring Apple's Siri, powered by fellow tech giant Google, on its own products. Other AI agents would not "have an equal chance to be chosen by iPhone users". It is not the first time the EU and Apple have butted heads over the rules. Apple last year called for the DMA to be repealed and has in the past blamed the EU's rules for delays in rolling out other features.

The tech giant said Siri AI, unveiled on Monday, could not be offered in Europe because of the EU’s Digital Markets Act.