Apple Sounds Alarm Over UK Regulatory Plan That Could Delay Features
Apple Sounds Alarm Over UK Regulatory Plan That Could Delay Features
Apple has raised concerns that proposed UK tech regulations—modeled after the European Union’s stringent Digital Markets Act—could lead to delays in delivering new features to users. The company warned that such measures might burden its development resources, potentially disrupting regular feature rollout timelines. (macrumors.com, reuters.com)
EU Experience Sets a Warning Example
Apple’s delayed European launch of the “Apple Intelligence” AI feature serves as a cautionary tale: what was supposed to debut globally in September 2024 only became available in the EU in March 2025 due to regulatory hurdles. (macrumors.com)
Privacy, Innovation, and Security at Stake
Apple argues that enforcing EU-style rules in the UK risks weakening user privacy, stifling innovation, and forcing Apple to share proprietary technology with rivals—without compensation. The company also warned about heightened exposure to scams and diminished control over security standards. (reuters.com)
Regulatory Objectives and Timelines
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority aims to reduce Apple’s market dominance by promoting fair competition—proposals include allowing third-party payment options and better interoperability with hardware like smartwatches. Despite Apple’s objections, the CMA maintains these measures are more targeted than EU regulations. A final ruling could appear as early as October 2025. (ft.com)
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