iPhone users in the European Union will experience a lengthy wait for the new AI-based Siri, which won’t be available for several months due to regulatory challenges. This delay is tied to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which imposes specific interoperability requirements on Apple that the company has yet to fulfill.
While Siri is accessible on Mac devices, it is currently unavailable on iPhones or iPads within the EU. Additionally, there are language and hardware limitations even on Macs, with support for the Hungarian language notably missing. This highlights the broader difficulties Apple faces in implementing new features across various regions.
According to Bloomberg’s tech journalist Mark Gurman, the wait could extend for at least five months, with little hope for an earlier resolution. He suggests that Apple might be using this delay to its advantage, anticipating that frustrated users will pressure the European Commission to change its position.
The DMA requires Apple to grant direct access to competing assistants, which involves sharing personal data and control over applications. Apple has raised concerns that meeting these obligations could jeopardize user privacy and security. In response, the company proposed a solution called the Trusted System Agent, which it aimed to implement over the next 18 months. However, the Commission rejected this proposal, stating that the law does not prevent the launch of new products. The Commission’s position is that the law does not prevent the launch of new products, making the delay Apple’s responsibility.
