Apple Flags EU AI Access Draft as Privacy and Security Threat

Context The European Commission is drafting measures that would require Google to allow any artificial‑intelligence company to operate through Android. The proposal follows the EU’s Digital Markets Act, a law aimed at curbing the power of large tech platforms. Apple, a frequent critic of the DMA, has now lodged a formal objection to the new AI‑access rules.

Key Facts Apple’s submission to the Commission describes the draft measures as raising “urgent and serious concerns.” The company warns that, if adopted, the rules would create “profound risks for user privacy, security and safety as well as device integrity and performance.” Apple points to scenarios where an AI app could send emails or place food orders on a device without the user’s knowledge, exploiting Android’s open access.

Apple also questions the EU’s technical capacity to redesign an operating system based on “less than three months of work,” arguing that substituting Google’s engineering judgment with a hastily built framework could amplify vulnerabilities. The firm highlights the unpredictable nature of rapidly evolving AI systems, noting that error‑prone AI apps already expose users to new threat vectors.

In May 2026, the EU reported that the Digital Markets Act had delivered a “positive impact,” a conclusion that Apple disputes. The company claims to have spent “hundreds of thousands of engineering hours” to comply with the DMA and argues that the new AI draft ignores the practical challenges it has faced.

The consultation period for the draft ran from 27 April to 13 May 2026, and the Commission has pledged to “carefully assess” all submissions, including those from Google and other interested parties. The final decision must be adopted by 27 July 2026, six months after the specification proceedings opened.

What It Means If the EU proceeds with the draft, Apple could be forced to grant rival AI services the same unfettered access it fears for Android, potentially weakening iOS security controls. The outcome will shape how AI applications integrate with mobile ecosystems across Europe and may set a precedent for future cross‑border tech regulations. Watch for the Commission’s final ruling in late July and any subsequent adjustments to the proposal.