An iPhone running Apple Intelligence, in front of the EU flag
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Apple isn't releasing Apple Intelligence and other major operating system changes in the EU, because of Digital Markets Act interoperability mandates.
The biggest changes in Apple's fall operating system updates include the machine learning-based Apple Intelligence as well as iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing. While most of the world should get the features in time, Apple says that the EU will miss out on the inbound tech.
Two weeks ago, Apple unveiled hundreds of new features that we are excited to bring to our users around the world. We are highly motivated to make these technologies accessible to all users. However, due to the regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), we do not believe that we will be able to roll out three of these features — iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence — to our EU users this year.Specifically, we are concerned that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security. We are committed to collaborating with the European Commission in an attempt to find a solution that would enable us to deliver these features to our EU customers without compromising their safety.
At the time of publication, checks on regional Apple Newsroom pages don't offer any statements beyond what Apple has provided, and even say that features like Apple Intelligence are on the way.
The Digital Markets Act sets rules to force Apple and other tech giants to open up various services, like the App Store, to encourage more competition. In the EU, Apple has already complied with some of the legislation, such as allowing alternative app storefronts to exist on iPhone, but it's still dragging its feet in other ways.
Apple has already been hit with a $2 billion fine for allegedly preventing Apple Music rivals from promoting cheaper alternatives. It also faces being the first to be fined over its anti-steering rules under the Digital Markets Act itself.
Apple Fellow Phil Schiller warned in February that the Digital Markets Act's implementation in the EU could become a privacy and security problem to consumers. While it introduces new dangers to the market, Schiller insisted Apple was doing whatever it could to minimize those risks.
Update June 21 4:24 PM ET Updated with Apple's statement on the matter.