The EU’s rulebook, known as the Digital Markets Act, aims to promote fair competition in digital markets [File]
|Image source: Reuters
Apple has complained that Meta Platforms’ request for access to its operating software threatens user privacy, sparking a row as the European Union steps up efforts to open the iPhone maker to products from technology rivals.
The 27-nation European Commission is developing “interoperability” guidelines for Apple under its new digital competition rulebook. It also works smoothly with iPhone.
The EU’s rulebook, known as the Digital Markets Act, aims to promote fair competition in digital markets and prevent big tech “gatekeeper” companies from monopolizing the market. The committee late Wednesday released recommendations on how Apple should make its iOS operating system compatible with other technologies.
In response, Apple said it was “concerned that some companies whose data practices do not comply with the high standards of data protection laws stipulated by the European Union and supported by Apple may attempt to abuse the interoperability provisions of the DMA to access sensitive user data.”
The company singled out Meta, saying it had made at least 15 requests for “potentially far-reaching access to Apple’s technology stack,” which would reduce protections for user privacy.
If the requests are approved, “Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp could allow Meta to read all of their messages and emails on users’ devices, view every call they make or receive, track every app they use, and scan their of all their photos, view their files and calendar events, and log all their passwords,” the company said in a report.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, fought back.
In a post on When making accusations, they will defend themselves on the grounds of privacy, which has no basis in reality.
The measure proposed by the Brussels-based European Commission calls for an approach based on Apple’s existing “request-based process” in which developers request access to features and functionality.
Apple should provide a “dedicated contact” to handle requests and provide updates and feedback, and there should be a “fair and equitable mediation” process to resolve disagreements on technical issues.
The committee is now asking the public to provide feedback on the proposals by January 9, including any companies that have made interoperability requests to Apple or are considering doing so.
Published – December 20, 2024 09:40 AM (IST)