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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<html newsdate="2025-01-16">
<version>1</version>
<head>
<title>The FSFE calls for broader interoperability by Apple under the DMA</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>The FSFE calls for broader interoperability by Apple under the DMA</h1>
<p>The Free Software Foundation Europe, alongside civil society
organizations, developers and researchers, submitted its position to the
European Commissions public consultation on measures requiring Apple to
ensure compliance with the Digital Markets Acts interoperability
provisions. The FSFE stressed the urgent need for Apple to provide effective,
free-of-charge interoperability.</p>
<figure>
<img src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/original/ee/3d/407431339a047caf4fc5f1ea05db.png"
alt="Ilustration showing what looks like a snake in the shape of an apple in black with a red shadow"/>
<figcaption>
CC-BY-SA 4.0. by <a href="https://rahak.net/work.html">Rahak</a> for
FSFE.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In parallel to <a href="/activities/apple-litigation/apple-litigation.html">the
litigation efforts against Apple</a>, the FSFE continues to collaborate
with the European Commission and other stakeholders in the enforcement
of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Alongside other civil society
organizations, researchers and developers, <a
href="https://www.article19.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ARTICLE-19_Joint-submission_EC_PUBLIC-CONSULTATION_APPLE_ARTICLE-67.pdf">the
FSFE submitted
its position</a> to the European Commission to improve
the European Commissions <a
href="https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/dma100204-consultation-proposed-measures-requesting-interoperability-apples-ios-and-ipados-operating_en">proposal</a>
to regulate Apples approach towards interoperability in its iOS and
iPadOS operating systems, as required by Article 6(7) of the DMA.</p>
<p>The FSFE is demanding a shift towards “interoperability by default”.
Apples reactive approach is at odds with the DMA, undermining developer
agency and consumer choice. The FSFE urges that Apple should
not deny software interoperability at its discretion, but the process for
assessing interoperability requests should be transparent and
non-discriminatory. We recommend that the Commission take a more active
role by scrutinizing Apples decisions and intermediating conflict
resolution among Apple and access-seeking developers. Besides, Apple
should not rely on API security by obscurity, but the Commission should
require public API documentation. We suggest that the Commission require Apple to also adopt
an effective bug-tracking system and prohibit the company from requiring
non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) from
developers who wish to interoperate with iOS and iPadOS.</p>
<div>
<blockquote>The FSFE has ensured that the
voices of Free Software developers, particularly smaller projects, are
heard. We welcome the European Commissions steps
toward demanding effective and transparent measures from
Apple, but a fundamental shift
towards "interoperability by design" would be the most impactful
improvement. DMA is not only about regulating competition among gatekeepers but also
levelling the playing field to SMEs and smaller software developers. Therefore, it is crucial to keep
Apples approach to interoperability under strict scrutiny from the Commission and civil
society." <cite> Lucas Lasota, FSFE Legal Programme Manager</cite>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>In addition, the FSFE is participating in a comprehensive study on how Apples
restrictive interoperability policies harm Free Software. This research
was first presented in November 2024 during a conference on the DMA
implementation in Brussels and will also be presented at an <a
href="https://kgi.georgetown.edu/events/dma-and-beyond-conference/">upcoming
event</a> organized by the Knight-Georgetown Institute and Yale
University in Washington, D.C., in February 2025.</p>
<h2 id="additional-materials">Additional Material</h2>
<p><a
href="https://www.article19.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ARTICLE-19_Joint-submission_EC_PUBLIC-CONSULTATION_APPLE_ARTICLE-67.pdf">Joint
submission</a> to the European
Commissions public consultation on Apples request-driven approach
towards Art. 6(7) DMA.</p>
<p><a href="/activities/apple-litigation/apple-litigation.html">Dedicated
page</a> to FSFEs strategic litigation efforts on the Apple vs European Commission
case at the Court of Justice of the European Union.</p>
</body>
<tags>
<tag key="press">Press Release</tag>
<tag key="deviceneutrality">Device Neutrality</tag>
<tag key="european-commission">European Commission</tag>
<tag key="DMA">DMA</tag>
<tag key="front-page"/>
<tag key="highlights">highlights</tag>
</tags>
<discussion href=""/>
<image url="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/original/ee/3d/407431339a047caf4fc5f1ea05db.png"
alt="Ilustration showing what looks like a snake in the shape of an apple in black with a red shadow"/>
</html>