EU rejects Apple request to exempt Siri AI under DMA

Wednesday 10 June 2026 - 10:19

By: Dakir Madiha

EU rejects Apple request to exempt Siri AI under DMA

Apple and European regulators have entered a renewed dispute over the rollout of the company’s redesigned Siri artificial intelligence features in the European Union. The company says it cannot launch the updated assistant on iPhones and iPads in the bloc due to requirements under the Digital Markets Act, which imposes interoperability obligations on large technology platforms designated as gatekeepers. The disagreement has intensified as both sides reject responsibility for the delay.

Apple stated that it had planned to introduce Siri AI with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 later this year, but said the EU regulatory framework prevents deployment under current conditions. The company argued that it had proposed technical solutions over recent months, including a system layer designed to manage data access for third party assistants while maintaining security standards. Apple said European regulators did not accept its proposals and that no alternative compliance path had been agreed.

The European Commission responded in Brussels by rejecting Apple’s position. A spokesperson said the decision not to launch Siri AI in the EU was solely Apple’s responsibility and not a consequence of the Digital Markets Act. The Commission added that Apple had failed to present an interoperability solution that met EU privacy and security requirements and had instead requested a temporary exemption from key obligations, which was refused. The spokesperson said EU law applies uniformly and cannot be suspended for individual companies.

The standoff reflects a broader pattern of friction between Apple and EU authorities over digital regulation. The Digital Markets Act requires major platforms to allow greater interoperability with competing services, a rule that has already reshaped how large technology companies operate in the European market. Apple previously withheld certain artificial intelligence features from EU users in 2024 under similar regulatory concerns. The latest dispute leaves European users facing continued delays in accessing new AI tools already planned for other regions.