Suche
Mein Konto
EU forces Apple: iPhone users can choose voice assistants!
From May 20, 2025, iPhone users in the EU will be able to choose their voice assistant, thanks to the new Digital Markets Act.
EU forces Apple: iPhone users can choose voice assistants!
Apple is poised for a sea change in the way iPhone users in the European Union can choose their digital voice assistants. According to a report by Vienna.at A new EU regulation obliges the company to give users the freedom to choose between different language assistants. Until now, Siri was the only pre-installed voice assistant on Apple devices, but in the future users will have the option to choose alternatives such as Google Gemini, Amazon Alexa or ChatGPT.
This measure is a direct response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to regulate the market power of large technology companies and promote fair competition. The EU Commission has designated Apple as a gatekeeper, requiring the company to make its services more open and enable the integration of third-party services.
The changes brought about by the Digital Markets Act
The Digital Markets Act, which came into force on March 7, 2024, sets clear requirements for companies that offer central platform services (ZPD). These companies are not allowed to favor their own products and services, are not allowed to exploit their market power and are only allowed to process user data with their consent. The scheme aims to create transparent and competitive markets in the digital sector and ultimately benefit consumers by allowing them to benefit from greater choice and better services.
The DMA imposes requirements on companies that act as gatekeepers. These requirements include significant influence on the internal market and the operation of a central platform service that serves as a gateway for other companies to end users. These changes don't just affect Apple, which also includes iPadOS and Safari, but can have far-reaching effects across the entire digital landscape.
Apple's reaction and future developments
Apple had already responded to previous EU regulations in the past, including by adapting browsers, email apps and payment services. With the new edition of the DMA, the company now also has to open interfaces to third-party providers, which may also give smaller developers the opportunity to offer their services.
It is currently unclear which providers will ultimately be approved and when the new functions will be introduced. However, experts expect a timely implementation. The EU Commission has announced that violations of the DMA could result in large fines, putting pressure on Apple to act quickly.
Overall, the changes in the Apple ecosystem are likely to influence other markets worldwide in the long term if similar regulations are adopted. The upcoming changes could mean that users can expect not only more choice, but also better quality from digital assistants and services. The Digital Markets Act could therefore be a decisive step towards a more open and competitive digital future.