While Apple has announced Siri AI, the biggest development of its voice assistant to date, users in the European Union will have to do without the new functions for the time being. According to the company, Siri AI will not be available in the EU at the same time as iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. Apple cites the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as the reason, which the company believes entail considerable risks for data protection and security. For many Apple users in Europe, this means that central AI functions will not be available for the time being.
- Siri AI will not launch with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 in the European Union
- Apple points to unresolved conflicts with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act
- Affected features include the new Siri app, visual intelligence and writing tools
- Siri AI should be available for macOS 27, visionOS 27 and watchOS 27 in the EU
Siri AI and the DMA: Why Apple is postponing the launch in Europe
With Siri AI, Apple wants to make its voice assistant much more intelligent and personal. The new platform can understand information from messages, emails, photos and apps, perform tasks across multiple applications and analyze content on the screen. However, it is precisely this deep integration into the operating system that is now causing problems in Europe.
Apple explains that the current requirements of the Digital Markets Act would require central system functions to be opened up to competing virtual assistants. According to the company, this would give third-party AI systems very extensive access to personal data and device functions. This could include messages, files, app controls or other sensitive information.
According to Apple, several proposals have been submitted to the European regulatory authorities in recent months in order to be able to offer Siri AI in compliance with high data protection standards in the EU. According to the company, none of these proposals were accepted. Apple is particularly critical of the demand that alternative AI assistants should be able to access comparable system functions to Siri itself.
This creates an unusual situation: while users in many regions of the world should already receive the new Siri AI functions with the upcoming operating systems, the European market will initially be left out. Apple speaks of a disappointment for customers and developers alike.
Siri AI remains partially available in Europe
Despite the delay, Siri AI will not disappear completely from Europe. Apple confirms that the new functions will be offered under macOS 27, visionOS 27 and watchOS 27 in the European Union. The restriction currently only affects iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.
It is particularly noteworthy that developers in the EU will not have access to the new Siri AI interfaces for iPhone and iPad apps for the time being. This means that the corresponding functions cannot be tested or integrated into applications. This could further slow down the introduction of new AI features within the Apple ecosystem in Europe.
The affected functions include the new Siri app with cross-device conversation history, the advanced writing tools, visual intelligence and the new Siri mode within the camera app. These features in particular are considered key components of Apple’s new AI strategy.
At the same time, Apple emphasizes that it will continue to work on a solution with the European authorities. However, a concrete timetable for the introduction of Siri AI on iPhone and iPad within the EU was not mentioned. As things stand, it remains to be seen when European users will have access to the full version of the new assistant.
Conclusion
The postponement of Siri AI in the European Union shows how strongly regulatory requirements can influence the introduction of new AI technologies. While Apple cites the protection of personal data as its main argument, the EU regulatory authorities see the DMA primarily as promoting competition and interoperability. For users, this initially means longer waiting times for many of the most exciting Siri AI functions. It is not yet clear when the situation will change.
