Apple and Meta square off in DMA row over privacy and interoperability

Apple accuses Meta of making excessive interoperability requests that would undermine user privacy

Apple has accused Facebook owner Meta of using the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) to make excessive interoperability requests that it claims will undermine Apple’s own privacy commitments.

The requests require Apple to provide Meta with access to its device technology stack, ostensibly to ensure that rival and app developers are able to interoperate seamlessly with Apple’s services. Failure to comply with the DMA could entail fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.

According to Reuters, Meta has made 15 interoperability requests for access to Apple’s technology stack, more than any other organisation, which Apple claims are potentially far reaching.

In a statement, Apple accused Meta of “seeking to alter functionality in a way that raises concerns about the privacy and security of users… that appears to be completely unrelated to the actual use of Meta external devices”.

The requests relate, in particular, to Meta’s Quest virtual reality headset technology. Apple claimed that Meta’s requests would enable it to read all messages, emails and phone calls made and received, as well as tracking all the apps they use, and scanning photos, access files, passwords and more.

In other words, Apple is suggesting that Meta, which is also subject to the DMA, is using it for fishing expeditions for its own commercial ends, not just to maximise interoperability.

In response, Meta accused Apple of using false claims of concern for privacy to restrict Meta’s requests. "Every time Apple is called out for its anticompetitive behaviour, they defend themselves on privacy grounds that have no basis in reality,” claimed Meta in a statement.

The row between Apple and Meta ought to be seen in the light of complaints made to the European Commission over its interpretation of its obligation under the DMA since it came into force in May 2023. These complaints resulted in the opening of a formal investigation in September 2024.

This week, the European Commission published a call for “feedback on the measures Apple should take to ensure interoperability under the Digital Markets Act”, relating to interoperability requests and the level of interoperability that it is obligated to provide to iOS devices.

“Opening iOS connectivity features and enabling interoperability with third-party devices will lead to increased innovation in the market and improve choice for iOS users of physical connected devices such as smartwatches or headphones,” the Commission claimed in its statement this week, indicating where it stands on those issues.

The DMA is intended to make digital markets more competitive, breaking down the barriers that enable large companies, like Apple and Google, to effectively shut out potential rivals in mobile and digital markets.

Twenty-two services across six “gatekeeper” companies – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft – were identified by the EU as core platforms across eight different online sectors services, such as social networks, online advertising and cloud services.

Those six companies have a number of obligations they are required to adhere to, including a prohibition on using data collected on one service for another, a bar from using their platforms for cross-promotion, and obligations to ensure interoperability and portability.