Apple and EU Hold Constructive Talks Over Siri AI Rollout Amid Digital Markets Act Dispute

Apple unveiled Siri AI as a feature of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, scheduled for September release. The assistant will be absent from iPhones and iPads sold in the European Union, where the company says the Digital Markets Act prevents a compliant launch. The impasse follows an exchange of accusations between Apple and EU regulators.

9to5MacMacRumorsReutersEU tech Commissioner and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook hold constructive video call on shared priorities

The Digital Markets Act obliges gatekeeper platforms to grant rival AI assistants access to the same iPhone functions that Siri uses, provided user consent and EU-approved privacy safeguards. Non-compliance can attract fines up to 10 % of global turnover. Europe accounts for roughly 27 % of Apple’s total sales, making the dispute financially consequential.

MacRumors

The European Commission says Apple has not provided the “interoperability” the DMA requires, so Siri AI cannot launch in the bloc. Apple replies that the Commission refused to engage constructively, dismissed its Trusted System Agent—a software layer to let third-party assistants use iPhone functions—and offered a blanket exemption, which the Commission says does not exist. Both parties described the video call as a constructive exchange and said work will continue.

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Consumer groups have sent hundreds of emails to EU officials, accusing regulators of denying Europeans access to the new assistant. Critics argue that Apple’s demand for a blanket exemption undermines the DMA’s competition goals, and warn that a delayed rollout could entrench Apple’s service for years.

MacRumors

Apple says the Commission rejected its Trusted System Agent and demanded an exemption the DMA does not provide. Commission counters that the decision not to launch Siri AI rests with Apple and that DMA imposes no ban on new products. No proposal disclosed; no timeline emerged.

MacRumors

• “We can confirm that the call between EVP Virkkunen and Mr Tim Cook took place.” — EU spokesperson, European Commission

Reuters

• “The next day, European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier shot back, saying that he needed to “set the record straight”: The decision not to roll out Siri AI in the EU is Apple’s and Apple’s only because absolutely nothing in the DMA prohibits Apple from introducing new products in the EU.” — Thomas Regnier, European Commission spokesperson

9to5Mac

• “The official claimed Apple "focused on obtaining a green light to delay compliance.” — European Commission official

MacRumors

• “Unfortunately, due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will not be able to ship Siri AI in the European Union with the release of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.” — Apple statement

9to5Mac

Siri AI is slated for global release with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 in September. Apple and the European Commission say discussions will continue, but no timeline for EU compliance has been set. Observers note that any delay could trigger DMA-related fines if a solution is not reached before the next reporting period.

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