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Apple decided not to roll out Siri in EU after denied request for exemption (reuters.com)

433 points by flanged · 80 days ago · 702 comments on HN

Article summary

Apple decided not to roll out Siri in the EU after their request for an exemption from the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) was denied. The company claimed that complying with the DMA would require significant changes to their ecosystem, potentially compromising user privacy. The EU's laws are written in terms of outcomes, rather than specific technical requirements, which can make compliance more challenging. This approach is intended to give companies flexibility in how they implement their solutions.

Main themes

  • EU regulations
  • Digital Markets Act
  • User privacy
  • Compliance challenges
  • Corporate responsibility

What commenters say

  • The EU's approach to regulation, focusing on outcomes rather than specific technical requirements, can make compliance more difficult for companies like Apple.
  • Apple's decision not to roll out Siri in the EU may be a strategic move to avoid opening up their ecosystem to competition and potential security risks.
  • The company's claims about protecting user privacy are questionable, given their history of prioritizing business interests over user needs.
  • The EU's laws are designed to promote fair competition and protect users, but may be overly broad or ambiguous, leading to unintended consequences.
  • Complying with complex regulations like the DMA can be a significant challenge, even for large companies like Apple, and may require significant investments of time and resources.
  • The exemption requested by Apple was not necessarily a temporary measure, as the EU's response indicated it would be for a minimum of 18 months.
  • Some argue that Apple's decision is a result of their desire to maintain control over their ecosystem, rather than a genuine concern for user privacy or compliance with regulations.
  • Others believe that the EU's approach to regulation is necessary to prevent companies like Apple from abusing their market power and compromising user privacy.