Apple and European Union Dispute Responsibility for Delayed Siri AI Rollout

Apple and the European Union are attributing a delay in the rollout of the Siri AI app to each other. The company said it would not offer the upgraded assistant to iPhone and iPad users in the EU when the feature launches later this year. A spokesman for the European Commission disputed Apple's account on Tuesday.

The spokesman stated that nothing in the Digital Markets Act prevents the company from introducing new products in the EU.

The Digital Markets Act requires large technology platforms to provide rivals equal access to user data and services. Apple said the commission's interpretation would require any virtual assistant to receive direct access to user data without what the company called essential protections.

The company said it had proposed a gradual rollout plan over 18 months, but the commission rejected the proposal. The commission spokesman said Apple had instead requested an 18-month exemption from the rules. The spokesman added that granting such an exemption would prevent other AI assistants from competing on equal terms with Siri AI.

EU law does not allow exemptions, the spokesman said.