On March 19, the Luxembourg competition authority adopted two decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) outlining the measures Apple must take to comply with interoperability obligations.

Major operators like Apple, which effectively control access to digital markets, are required to allow other providers to interoperate freely and efficiently with similar hardware and software features. This interoperability aims to enable third parties to offer innovative products and services compatible with Apple products, ultimately benefiting consumers.

The decisions provide guidance to Apple on how to achieve compliance, detailing necessary measures such as enabling interoperability with iOS for other connected devices like smartwatches, headphones, and televisions. Additionally, Apple must improve access processes for technical specifications needed by developers to create compatible services and products for iPhone and iPad.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) seeks to rebalance relationships between large platforms controlling access to the digital market and user companies by imposing harmonized rules to prevent unfair or inequitable behavior from access controllers.

With over 45 million monthly end users and 10,000 user companies annually in the European Union, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Meta are among the six designated access controllers identified by the Commission in September 2023. They are required to fully comply with all DMA obligations since March 6, 2024.