Published: September-22-2025, 22:00 EDT

Apple has intensified its public criticism of European regulators, arguing that new rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) undermine its ability to deliver a secure and seamless user experience. The company’s latest comments come amid ongoing disputes with the European Commission, a €500 million fine, and new product launches withheld from the European market.

Apple Pushes Back Against EU Regulations

Apple executives have stepped up their rhetoric against European Union authorities, accusing regulators in Brussels of unfairly targeting the company’s “walled garden” model.

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, described the EU’s measures as a “serious threat” to Apple’s philosophy of offering tightly integrated hardware and software. “They want to take the magic away—of having a tightly integrated experience that Apple provides—and make us like the other guys,” Joswiak said during a press briefing at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.

Apple maintains that its closed ecosystem ensures safety, privacy, and reliability, while critics argue it restricts competition and limits consumer choice.

The Digital Markets Act and Apple’s Obligations

The Digital Markets Act, which entered into force in 2022 and began applying in 2024, is designed to curb the dominance of major technology companies labeled as “gatekeepers.” Apple, alongside Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, falls under this classification.

For Apple, compliance means allowing greater interoperability between its devices and those of competitors. Specific requirements include:

• Enabling third-party headphones and audio accessories to work seamlessly with iPhones.

• Allowing notifications from non-Apple smartwatches to display on iPhones, not only on the Apple Watch.

• Permitting third-party platforms to send and receive files through AirDrop, a feature historically reserved for Apple devices.

According to the European Commission, these obligations are necessary to promote competition and prevent consumer lock-in.

Consumer Advocates Welcome the Changes

Sébastien Pant of BEUC, a European consumer advocacy umbrella group, welcomed the EU’s intervention. “It’s important to tackle the kind of walled garden problem that we’ve had for years,” he said, adding that the DMA will give consumers “more choice in the digital market.”

Pant emphasized that interoperability strengthens consumer rights, giving users the freedom to choose devices and services without being restricted by a single ecosystem.

New AirPods Launch and Withheld Features

Apple’s latest product launch has further fueled the debate. The company recently introduced the AirPods Pro 3, featuring a “Live Translation” function that allows users to hear translations directly in their preferred language.

The product rolled out last week in the United States but will not yet be available in Europe. Apple explained that the feature depends on the integration of microphones across AirPods and the iPhone. Opening up the system to third-party devices, as mandated by the DMA, would require “additional engineering work” to maintain privacy, security, and performance standards.

This selective rollout is not the first time Apple has withheld innovations from the European market. Earlier this year, the company delayed the release of its Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence tools in the EU, citing regulatory concerns.

Escalating War of Words

Historically, Apple has kept its disagreements with regulators largely behind closed doors. However, the company is now airing grievances publicly, warning that European laws risk harming both innovation and consumer experiences.

“European regulators are creating a worse experience for their citizens—our users,” Joswiak said. “They’re undermining innovation, infringing on intellectual property, and damaging privacy and security.”

Apple’s complaints intensified after the European Commission published a decision last week rejecting the company’s appeal to scrap most of its interoperability obligations.

Regulatory Push Beyond Brussels

The European Union is not the only jurisdiction scrutinizing Apple’s business practices. The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been pursuing similar measures aimed at opening up digital markets dominated by Apple and Google.

Last month, Apple issued a statement cautioning the CMA against adopting EU-style rules, arguing that such moves could weaken privacy protections and undermine user trust.

A History of Penalties and Disputes

Apple’s conflict with European regulators has been building for years. In April, the company was fined €500 million ($586 million) for what the European Commission described as anti-competitive practices in its App Store. Regulators accused Apple of disadvantaging music streaming rivals by imposing restrictive conditions while favoring its own Apple Music service.

While Apple has paid the fine, it continues to challenge many of the Commission’s findings, framing the disputes as part of a broader struggle over innovation and intellectual property rights.

Broader Industry Implications

Apple is not the only company navigating the effects of the Digital Markets Act. Meta delayed the launch of its Threads social media platform in Europe to ensure compliance with data protection and interoperability rules. Other tech firms, including Google, have faced similar challenges in adapting their platforms to the EU’s regulatory framework.

These delays highlight how the DMA is reshaping the global rollout strategies of major technology firms, often prioritizing compliance over speed of innovation.

Looking Ahead

The clash between Apple and European regulators shows no signs of easing. While the EU insists its rules benefit consumers by encouraging competition and choice, Apple argues that such measures compromise the very qualities—privacy, security, and seamless integration—that define its brand.

As new devices and software updates continue to launch, European users may find themselves waiting longer for features available elsewhere, while the regulatory and legal battles play out.

The outcome will likely set precedents for how global tech companies balance compliance with innovation, with the stakes extending far beyond Apple’s ecosystem.

Source: BBC – Apple steps up war of words with European regulators

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After nearly half a decade away, Epic Games’ Fortnite has finally returned to the Apple App Store in the United States. As of Tuesday, players across the country can once again download and enjoy the wildly popular multiplayer shooter on their iPhones and iPads, ending a ban that began in 2020.

This comeback is a significant win for Epic Games, which has been locked in a high-profile battle with Apple for years over App Store policies and control. While Fortnite had already made its way back to the App Store in the European Union last year—following regulatory pressure on Apple—the US market remained closed off to the game until now.

The Battle Between Epic and Apple

The saga began in August 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store after Epic introduced a direct payment system within the game, bypassing Apple’s standard 30% commission fee on in-app purchases. This move triggered a major legal clash between the tech giant and Epic Games, sparking lawsuits, widespread debate about the power of app stores, and discussions about fair competition in digital marketplaces.

For years, Apple stood firm on its App Store rules, which led to Fortnite being unavailable on iOS devices, frustrating millions of loyal fans who were forced to turn to alternative platforms or devices to keep playing.

Fortnite’s Massive Popularity

Since its launch in 2017, Fortnite has been one of the most popular games globally, famous for its fast-paced “battle royale” format, where 100 players fight to be the last person standing. Its colorful graphics, regular content updates, and collaborations with pop culture icons have made it a cultural phenomenon.

At the time of its removal from the Apple App Store in 2020, Fortnite boasted approximately 116 million users on Apple’s platform alone—showcasing just how big the fallout was from the ban.

What This Return Means for Players

Epic Games announced the return on social media platform X, confirming that Fortnite is also available through the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the European Union, expanding options for players across different regions.

For US players, the return to Apple’s App Store means seamless access to the game without needing to rely on workarounds or other devices. This is especially important as mobile gaming continues to grow in popularity, making the iPhone and iPad key platforms for millions of gamers.

The Future of Epic and Apple’s Relationship

While the return signals some easing in the dispute, the broader legal and regulatory battles between Epic Games and Apple are far from over. The issues at stake—including app store fees, developer rights, and platform control—continue to be hot topics in the tech world and could shape how digital marketplaces operate in the future.

For now, players can simply enjoy jumping back into Fortnite on their Apple devices, rekindling a favorite pastime that had been missing for years.

Source: CNN – Epic Games’ Fortnite back up on Apple app store in US after nearly 5 years

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TikTok Returns After Temporary Ban

Apple and Google have reinstated TikTok on their U.S. app stores following an executive action by President Donald Trump that delayed a ban on the popular social media platform.

Google Play confirmed the app’s return on Thursday, while Bloomberg and CNBC reported that Apple followed suit later that evening. CNN verified that TikTok was available for download on multiple devices by Thursday night.

Why Was TikTok Banned?

TikTok’s uncertain future stems from a law signed in April by then-President Joe Biden. The law gave TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, 270 days to sell the app to a U.S. or allied owner, citing national security concerns. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban just before it was set to take effect.

In January, TikTok was briefly shut down for approximately 14 hours. However, it quickly returned after Trump, then the president-elect, promised to keep the platform operational in the U.S.

Impact on Users and Other ByteDance Apps

Despite TikTok’s reinstatement, its 175 million U.S. users faced difficulties. As of that weekend, the app was unavailable on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play, along with ByteDance-owned apps Lemon8 and CapCut.

Apple previously stated that it removed TikTok due to the ban, though users who had already downloaded the app could continue using it.

Trump’s Role in TikTok’s Return

Before taking office, Trump announced plans to delay the enforcement of the ban. On January 19, he posted on Truth Social:

“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”

He also assured that technology partners like Apple, Google, and Oracle would not be penalized for continuing to support TikTok until the order was finalized.

Legal Consequences for Tech Companies

Under the law, TikTok’s technology partners—including Oracle, Apple, and Google—were required to stop supporting the app or face fines of up to $5,000 per user with access to the platform starting that Sunday.

Trump officially took office on January 20 and signed the executive order the same day, granting TikTok an additional 75 days to secure a new owner.

Trump’s Changing Stance on TikTok

Trump justified his decision to extend TikTok’s operation, stating he had changed his perspective after using the app himself.

“And remember, TikTok is largely about kids, young kids,” he said from the Oval Office. “If China is going to get information about young kids out of it, to be honest, I think we have bigger problems than that.”

He also emphasized his control over TikTok’s fate:

“I have the right to either sell it or close it, and we’ll make that determination.”

What’s Next for TikTok?

While TikTok remains operational for now, its long-term future in the U.S. hinges on ByteDance’s ability to comply with the law by selling the app within the extended timeframe. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether the platform can continue serving millions of American users.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance’s appeal to block a law requiring the sale of the popular short-video app by January 19 or face a nationwide ban over national security concerns. The hearing is set for January 10.

TikTok’s Fight Against the Ban

TikTok and ByteDance, along with some content creators, had sought an emergency injunction to halt the impending ban but were met with no immediate action from the justices. The companies are challenging a lower court decision that upheld the law. TikTok is widely used in the United States, with an estimated 170 million users.

Congress passed the measure in April, following concerns raised by the Justice Department. Officials argued that TikTok poses “a national-security threat of immense depth and scale” due to its potential access to sensitive user data—including locations and private messages—and its capacity to manipulate content. TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, stating it poses no imminent threat to U.S. security.

Constitutional Debate: Free Speech vs. National Security

In their appeal, TikTok and ByteDance argue that the law violates the First Amendment’s free speech protections. The companies warned that even a temporary shutdown could lead to the loss of a third of TikTok’s U.S. user base, impacting advertising revenue, content creator partnerships, and talent acquisition. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected these arguments on December 6.

TikTok’s filing to the Supreme Court emphasized, “If Americans, duly informed of the alleged risks of ‘covert’ content manipulation, choose to continue viewing content on TikTok with their eyes wide open, the First Amendment entrusts them with making that choice, free from the government’s censorship.”

Impact of a Potential Ban

A U.S. ban would significantly devalue TikTok, adversely affecting ByteDance, its investors, and businesses reliant on TikTok for marketing and sales. The law also mandates restrictions on app distribution platforms such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play, effectively preventing access to TikTok unless ByteDance divests the app by the deadline.

Critics fear that this move sets a precedent for potential bans on other foreign-owned apps. In 2020, former President Donald Trump’s attempt to ban WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, faced similar legal challenges and was ultimately blocked.

Political Dynamics and Global Trade Tensions

Former President Trump, who initially sought to ban TikTok in 2020, has recently reversed his stance, stating he has “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok” and pledging to “take a look” at the issue if elected. Trump’s comments come ahead of his inauguration on January 20, just one day after TikTok’s deadline.

The D.C. Circuit Court justified the law, stating, “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States. Here the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.”

TikTok has vehemently denied claims of data-sharing with the Chinese government and characterized the ban as a “radical departure from this country’s tradition of championing an open Internet.”

This legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of intensifying trade tensions between the U.S. and China. President Joe Biden’s administration recently imposed restrictions on China’s chip industry, prompting Beijing to retaliate with export bans on critical minerals like gallium and germanium.

The Broader Implications

The outcome of TikTok’s Supreme Court case could set a critical precedent for how foreign-owned apps are regulated in the United States. An unimpeded ban on TikTok could pave the way for similar actions against other apps, fundamentally reshaping the digital landscape and U.S.-China tech relations.

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