Apple has filed a lawsuit against the European Commission (EU) in response to an order to enhance compatibility with competitor devices.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 2nd (local time), Apple submitted a complaint to the EU General Court in Luxembourg on the 30th of last month.
The lawsuit stems from the EU Commission's order in March for compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires improvements in 'interoperability' to ensure that Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads can be compatible with products from other corporations.
The Commission has effectively directed Apple to open the iPhone ecosystem, stating, 'By improving interoperability, developers will be provided with a more open environment, European consumers will have more choices, and it will promote the launch of innovative products and services.'
In a statement that day, Apple claimed that the EU's demand for improved interoperability is 'unfair, costly, and stifles innovation,' adding that 'such demands result in sensitive information being handed over to other corporations, posing serious risks to the privacy and security of EU users.'
It further emphasized that 'this fundamentally misguided regulation targeting only Apple seriously restricts our ability to provide innovative products and features in Europe,' stating, 'Ultimately, this will lead to a poor user experience for European customers.'
This legal dispute is likely to continue for years in court, and in the meantime, Apple must comply with the EU order, according to Reuters.
If the EU Commission determines that big tech has violated the Digital Markets Act, it can impose a penalty surcharge of up to 10% of the company's total global annual revenue and order the partitioning of some business operations.
In response, the EU Commission stated, 'Our decision is fully in line with the DMA,' adding, 'We will defend this in court.'