Apple suspends its AI in Europe

Apple, tech giant, is slowing down the deployment of its new artificial intelligence features in Europe. The cause is the strict regulations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Hundreds of millions of users are thus deprived of Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing, delayed to comply with these new requirements.

Apple and crypto: A regulatory duel

Apple, an iconic figure in the technology market and author of unappealing announcements, is in a showdown with the European Union. According to Cointelegraph, the new features like Apple Intelligence, a revolutionary update based on diffusion models and sophisticated languages, are put on hold.

This technology promised to transform Siri and other applications into highly efficient personal assistants.

However, the uncompromising European legislators on issues of security and privacy demand that tech giants ensure interoperability, which Apple believes could compromise the integrity of its products.

In this race for compliance, Apple is hitting legislative walls erected to limit the power of “gatekeepers”. Identified among the six companies holding significant power in their markets, alongside Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft, Apple now has to balance between innovation and regulation.

The DMA requirements, effective since May 2023, impose strict rules to ensure healthy competition and better user protection.

However, for Apple, these regulations represent a major challenge, forcing the company to delay features that could have redefined the user experience in terms of crypto and technology.

The features affected by regulation

iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to control their iPhones from their Macs, and SharePlay Screen Sharing, which provides the ability to take control of devices via FaceTime, are also on the chopping block.

These innovations, awaiting launch in Europe, are victims of Apple’s concerns regarding the integrity and security of its users’ data.

Fred Sainz, Apple’s communications director, expresses his fears:

“We fear that the DMA’s interoperability requirements will force us to compromise the integrity of our products in a way that jeopardizes user privacy and data security.”

The issue is significant because these features aim to enhance interconnectivity and user experience, crucial elements in a world where crypto and technology are increasingly intertwined.

The EU’s rigid stance, although justified by security imperatives, poses significant challenges to companies seeking to innovate while adhering to stringent regulations.

The clash between Apple and the EU highlights the tension between technological innovation and regulation. The future of AI and crypto features in Europe will depend on this delicate balance between progress and protection.