Apple has hit a major roadblock in Europe. The company announced it will delay the launch of its new Siri AI assistant for iPhone and iPad users across the European Union when iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 release later this year. The delay stems from regulatory disputes over the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The news marks a significant setback for Apple’s AI ambitions in one of its largest markets. European users will miss out on major new features like a dedicated app for conversation history, expanded Visual Intelligence, integrated writing tools, and a new Siri camera mode that were showcased at WWDC26. Apple Watch users in the EU will also lose access to Siri AI since the watchOS version requires a paired iPhone with the feature enabled.
This regulatory clash highlights the growing tension between big tech companies and European lawmakers over AI safety and market competition. The DMA, which came into effect in 2022, aims to prevent large technology companies from abusing their market dominance. However, Apple argues the law’s requirements would force it to compromise user privacy and security in ways that could put people at risk.
“We’re deeply disappointed that our EU users won’t have Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Their refusal to engage constructively on solutions that preserve privacy and security means we do not currently have a timeline for Siri AI’s availability on iOS and iPadOS in the EU.”
The core disagreement centers on data access requirements. According to Apple, EU regulators are demanding that any virtual assistant get nearly unlimited access to user devices and data once Siri AI becomes available. This would include the ability to:
- Read and send messages without user oversight
- Make purchases autonomously
- Access personal files and photos
- Execute actions across any installed app
- Control other applications directly
Apple contends these requirements create serious security vulnerabilities. The company points to research showing AI systems can be compromised to steal passwords, photos, and other personal data, or to alter files and account settings without user consent.
To address these concerns, Apple proposed a solution called “Trusted System Agent” – an intermediary system that would let other virtual assistants safely access Siri AI’s capabilities while maintaining security protections. The company also offered to roll out this system gradually over 18 months. The European Commission rejected both proposals.
The delay won’t affect all Apple devices equally. EU users will still get Siri AI on Mac computers running macOS 27 and Apple Vision Pro headsets with visionOS 27. However, developers in Europe won’t be able to test or integrate the new Siri AI features into their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch apps.
This isn’t Apple’s first clash with EU regulators over the DMA. The company has already been forced to allow alternative app stores on iPhones in Europe and faced pressure to open up its payment systems. The Siri AI delay represents perhaps the most visible impact yet of these regulatory battles on consumer features.
The situation puts Apple in a difficult position as it tries to compete with other AI assistants like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. While these services continue to evolve rapidly, Apple’s EU customers may find themselves falling behind in AI capabilities compared to users in other regions.
Apple says it will continue working with EU regulators to find a path forward, but currently has no timeline for when Siri AI might become available to European iPhone and iPad users. The company maintains that it won’t compromise on what it sees as essential privacy and security protections, even if it means delaying major features in important markets.