Apple issued a fierce criticism of Meta on Wednesday, stating that its repeated requests to access iPhone device software tools will affect the privacy and security of Apple users.
According to Apple, since the landmark EU Digital Markets Act came into effect last year, Apple must allow competitors and application developers to interoperability with Apple's services (i.e. open application interfaces), otherwise Apple will face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
Among them, Meta has already submitted 15 interoperability requests, more than any other company's requirements. If Apple agrees to all requests initiated by Meta, then Meta's social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp can allow Meta to access all their information, emails, phone numbers, applications, photos, passwords, etc. on their Apple devices.
Apple accuses Meta of attempting to change the functionality of Apple devices in a way that raises concerns about customer privacy and security, and this change is completely unrelated to the actual use of Meta's external devices, such as the Meta Quest headset.
Meta responded by stating that these criticisms represent that Apple actually does not want to practice the interoperability required by law. Every time Apple is criticized for its anti competitive behavior, it defends itself with unfounded privacy reasons.
The debate between Meta and Apple also highlights the fierce competition between the two tech giants, especially as both companies hope to launch market leading products on VR devices.
Meta wins one game first
According to EU regulations, Apple must evaluate whether the interoperability requests submitted by application developers for hardware and software fall within the scope of the law. If it belongs, then Apple needs to design an effective interoperability solution.
Previously, Apple had warned that the integrity of the iOS and iPadOS systems was an important consideration for the company, which could limit its ability to design effective interoperability solutions.
Later on Wednesday, the European Union also released preliminary investigation results on this issue. The EU stated that Apple needs to provide app developers with a better understanding of iOS components and design a better process to make it easier to submit interoperability requests. In addition, Apple must adhere to strict timelines to avoid delaying the provision of feedback.
The EU's statement means that Meta has a slight advantage in this dispute. Over the years, Apple has continuously strengthened its locking of user data, and almost every new feature has sparked public protests from Meta.
However, on the other hand, Apple's data is like a huge treasure trove for most technology companies, and Meta is just one of the members who covet this treasure.