Apple is facing challenges with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The ongoing debate over how third-party app stores will operate is just one aspect. The Act also requires Apple to implement a browser choice screen, similar to what Microsoft did with Windows years ago. Furthermore, Margrethe Vestager of the European Commission has hinted that Apple may need to provide users with the option to not only choose which apps to install, but also which apps to uninstall.
Vestager specifically mentioned the Photos app, which plays a crucial role in iOS by serving as both the gallery app and the file picker. For example, when users want to share a photo or video, Photos facilitates the process. This integration makes it challenging to separate Photos from other functionalities within iOS.
The Photos app
The Digital Markets Act mandates that Apple grant full access to iOS APIs and features, including functionalities related to mobile payments, app installations, and possibly even those provided by Photos.
This situation mirrors Microsoft’s experience in the early 2000s when it faced scrutiny over the integration of Internet Explorer into Windows. The Department of Justice raised concerns, leading to Microsoft making Windows more open to third-party software. A similar scenario is unfolding with Apple and the DMA.
Vestager’s comments underscore the need for open ecosystems to promote competition. The DMA requires gatekeepers like Apple to allow easy app uninstallation, change of default settings, and display choice screens. However, Apple’s current compliance model may not fully align with these obligations, particularly in terms of app uninstallation and default settings like the Photos app.
While Apple is gradually opening up to third-party app stores and is set to adopt RCS (Rich Communication Services) later on, the challenge lies in completely decoupling core apps like App Store, Camera, Messages, Phone, Photos, Safari, and Settings from iOS. This could impact the functionality of third-party apps and browsers integrated within iOS.
