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Apple faces EU scrutiny over iOS browser engine restrictions
Apple is facing scrutiny regarding its compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). While the company has discussed allowing users to select third-party web browsers and mail applications as defaults on iOS, critics argue that technical restrictions continue to prevent browser vendors from using their own engines on the platform.
Open Web Advocacy claims that Apple's refusal to allow alternative browser engines maintains a monopoly that protects Safari, which accounts for an estimated 14-16% of Apple's annual operating profit. The organization suggests that every 1% loss in Safari's market share could cost Apple approximately $200 million in annual revenue.
Additionally, recent updates to iOS have sparked debate among developers. While some features, such as Siri-based music suggestions, have been mistaken for default app settings, Apple clarified that the iOS 14.5 beta does not allow users to set a permanent default music service. Developers also report that Safari software updates can reset experimental feature preferences, impacting user control over privacy settings.
Entities
Apple · Digital Markets Act · European Union · Google · Open Web Advocacy · Safari · Siri
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Apple has discussed allowing users to choose third-party web browsers and mail applications as defaults on iOS. bzamayo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Apple's technical restrictions prevent third-party browser vendors from using their own engines on iOS in the EU. open-web-advocacy.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Safari accounts for approximately 14-16% of Apple's annual operating profit. open-web-advocacy.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Apple clarified that the iOS 14.5 beta does not allow users to select a new default music service. bzamayo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Every 1% loss in Safari's browser market share could result in $200 million in lost annual revenue for Apple. open-web-advocacy.org