New Siri AI without Europe. Apple blames EU regulations, the EC responds

Apple issued a statement on June 8 in which it was announced that Siri AI, the new version of the modernized AI assistant presented on Monday, will not be made available in the EU with the premiere of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. According to the company, the reason is the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Apple blames EU for lack of latest AI update in EU

“We are deeply disappointed that our users in the EU will not be able to use Siri AI on iPhone and iPad when we release new versions of our operating systems later this year,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, quoted by the company.

— We hope to eventually bring Siri AI to the European Union and will continue to work with regulators to find a solution. However, their refusal to engage in constructive dialogue on proposals that would protect user privacy and security means that we currently have no timetable for making Siri AI available on iOS and iPadOS in the EU.”

According to the company “over recent months, EU regulators have not accepted any of the solutions proposed by the company, which were supposed to enable the introduction of Siri AI in Europe while maintaining security and support for other voice assistants”.

According to Apple in accordance with “extreme interpretation” DMA by representatives of the EU company “would have to give each AI assistant direct access to users’ private data and the ability to control other applications installed on the device from the moment Siri AI is introduced in the EU”.

It was also assessed that EU regulators require that any AI system has almost unlimited access to users’ devices, as well as the ability to perform actions without the owners’ control. This would include, among others: reading and sending messages or making purchases.

Apple experts were to point out that control over AI systems could be taken over, including: theft of personal data.

In response to EU requirements, Apple was to create the so-called trusted system agent. It would allow other voice systems to access the same functions. It was also proposed to gradually implement this solution over 18 months. However, the European Commission allegedly rejected this proposal.

“Apple says it will continue to work to safely make Siri AI available to users in the EU” — added.

The European Union responds to Apple

European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier commented on Apple’s position. He stated that it was solely the company’s decision.

– Nothing in the DMA prevents Apple from introducing new products to the EU market – noted Regnier, quoted by Politico. He also added that the company “was unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet core EU privacy and security standards”.

Apple was also supposed to pay back “for exemption from interoperability obligations for at least 18 months” – it reported “Politico”. According to the EC, such a solution “would prevent competing AI assistants from competing with Siri AI on a level playing field” — provided by the website.

– EU law is not negotiable – said a Commission spokesman.