Apple Delays Siri AI Launch in EU Due to DMA Compliance Concerns

Summary

Apple has announced Siri AI, a major redesign of its virtual assistant powered by Apple Intelligence, but the launch will be fragmented geographically due to European Union regulations. The company will not release Siri AI in the EU with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 later this year, though the feature will launch on macOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27 in all regions, including the EU. This represents a rare instance where Apple is unable to ship a flagship feature across its entire user base due to regulatory constraints.

The delay stems from Apple's disagreement with how EU regulators interpret the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Under the DMA's requirements as interpreted by the European Commission, Apple would need to give any virtual assistant direct access to users' private data and the autonomous ability to control other installed applications. Apple argues this poses significant security and privacy risks, citing security research showing that AI systems can be hijacked to steal passwords, photos, and other sensitive information, and to alter files without user consent.

Apple proposed two solutions: a "Trusted System Agent" that would serve as a secure intermediary allowing third-party virtual assistants to access Siri AI capabilities while maintaining privacy protections, and an 18-month phased rollout plan. However, the European Commission rejected all of Apple's proposals. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, stated the company remains "deeply disappointed" and will continue engaging with EU regulators, though there is currently no timeline for when Siri AI will be available on iOS and iPadOS in the EU.

• The feature will launch on macOS 27, visionOS 27, and watchOS 27 in the EU, and on all platforms elsewhere
• This represents a significant regulatory hurdle for Apple's AI expansion in Europe and sets precedent for future AI feature availability in the EU