An EU flag with the App Store logo
As expected, Apple has formally filed an appeal against the European Union’s ruling on interoperability, saying that it constitutes a massive privacy risk.
In December 2024, Apple made public its objections to the EU’s interoperability plans in a white paper, centering on what it described as the Digital Markets Act’s (DMA) security and privacy implications. Now as first spotted by Axios, the company’s official appeal filing against the EU’s fine repeats the points, and in particular stresses how other firms are set to exploit the ruling.
“These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users,” an Apple spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that already, companies Meta, Google, and Spotify, have used the ruling to ask Apple for user notification content and details of stored WiFi networks. This gives “them the ability to access personal information that even Apple doesn’t see,” continued the spokesperson.
Apple also argues that the EU’s requirements threaten its ability to produce hardware and software that works seamlessly together. Apple’s position is that it also stifles innovation, and is costly.
“In the end, these deeply flawed rules that only target Apple — and no other company — will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe,” continued the spokesperson, “leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers.”
Apple’s December 2024 white paper makes these same points, but is aimed at EU users. It says that “abuse of the DMA’s interoperability mandate could expose your private information.”
The company also noted at the time that Facebook owner Meta had made more interoperability requests than any other firm. Those requests, says Apple, include ones that appear “to be completely unrelated” to the function of Meta software or devices.
This appeal is the latest step in an ongoing discussion Apple has been having with the EU, while also attempting to gain public support for its position. In May 2025, as it was beginning its appeal against the $570 million antitrust fine, Apple claimed that the EU repeatedly ignores its requests for feedback and consultation.
