Apple presented on Monday, June 8, the new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. However, advanced features will not be available to iPhone and iPad users in the European Union when iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 are released later this year.
The limitation arises from the Digital Markets Law (DMA), which forces large technology companies to open their systems to competitors. Apple argues that fully complying with the standard would compromise users’ privacy and security.
Advanced features unavailable on European iOS
Without the new Siri, iPhone owners in the region will not have access to functions such as the dedicated app for reviewing previous conversations, improvements in Visual Intelligence, integrated text editing tools and camera-activated Siri mode. European developers will also not be able to test these new features in their applications.
The updated assistant processes most tasks directly on the device or on Apple’s secure servers, with an emphasis on data protection. However, DMA requires other virtual assistants to have direct access to private data and autonomous control of apps, which the company considers risky.
Dispute with European regulators
Apple has proposed intermediate solutions in recent months, including a gradual release system over 18 months. All were rejected by the European Commission. Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering, expressed the company’s frustration.
“We are deeply disappointed that our European Union users will not have Siri AI on their iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year,” Federighi said. He added that the company remains open to dialogue to find a path that preserves privacy and security.
Impact for users and developers
The restriction also affects the Apple Watch in Europe, as watchOS 27 depends on an iPhone with Siri AI paired. On the other hand, Mac and Apple Vision Pro users in the region will be able to access the new assistant. Apple continues to work on compliance for other markets, such as China, where regulatory requirements also delay the launch.
The decision highlights tensions between AI innovation and competition rules in Europe, which affect around 450 million potential iPhone users. While the European Commission states that the DMA does not prevent the launch and that the choice is Apple’s, the company maintains that current requirements put fundamental device protections at risk.