As part of a probe into whether Apple adheres to the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU has indicated it believes the company is not adequately shielding its customers from scams. The Cupertino firm is also charged with not offering sufficient safety precautions for children using its devices.
The heated exchange between Apple and the EU has escalated in recent days, mere weeks after both parties faced off in court over the legality of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In that situation, Apple claimed that the EU was enforcing onerous regulations, while the EU asserted that Apple was attempting to secure user loyalty for inflated profits.
The current dispute revolves around the DSA, which requires that tech giants take appropriate measures to safeguard users from harm, including protecting customers from fraudulent apps and ensuring the safety and privacy of children. The EU has voiced concerns that Apple has not enacted enough measures to lessen the risks of financial scams through its App Store and to protect younger users.
In retaliation, Apple’s VP of Legal, Kyle Andeer, sent a pointed letter accusing the EU of double standards. He argued that the DMA’s stipulations undermine Apple’s capability to effectively protect users. Apple maintains that the DMA compels the firm to permit developers to connect to external platforms without adequate safeguards, placing users at risk for potential fraud and scams.
Apple additionally reproached the EU for purportedly shifting focus from problems caused by its own regulations, asserting that the Commission has overlooked misconduct by developers misleading users, including minors.
The continuing conflict emphasizes the intricacies of regulatory systems in the tech sector, where laws designed to foster competition and safeguard consumers can sometimes clash, resulting in difficulties for companies like Apple in finding a balance between compliance and user safety.
