Apple and Facebook parent Meta Platforms are fighting again. The iPhone maker has slammed Meta, accusing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of making numerous requests to access Apple’s software tools in ways that could risk user privacy and security. The remarks highlight the intensifying rivalry between the two tech giants.
Under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect last year, Apple is required to allow rival companies and app developers to integrate their services with Apple’s ecosystem or face potential fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
Apple: Facebook and Instagram ask for more access than any other app
Apple said that Meta has submitted 15 interoperability requests so far, more than any other company, seeking extensive access to Apple’s technology, according to a report from Apple.
Apple expressed concern that many of Meta’s requests would alter device functionality in ways that could compromise user privacy and security. Specifically, it pointed out that these changes seemed unrelated to Meta’s own external devices, like its smart glasses and virtual reality headsets, such as the Meta Quest. Meta Quest is part of Meta’s broader ambition to dominate the virtual and mixed reality space.
“If Apple were to grant all of these requests, Meta could potentially access a user’s entire device activity,” Apple warned in the report. “This could include reading messages and emails, tracking phone calls, monitoring app usage, scanning photos and files, reviewing calendar events, logging passwords, and more.”
Apple also cited Meta’s previous privacy fines in Europe as evidence of its concerns over Meta’s trustworthiness in handling user data.
Meta rejects Apple’s claim
In response, Meta rejected Apple’s claims, accusing the company of resisting interoperability. “What Apple is actually saying is they don’t believe in interoperability,” a Meta spokesperson said. “Every time Apple is called out for anticompetitive behavior, they defend themselves on privacy grounds that have no basis in reality.”
Meanwhile, the European Commission, which oversees the DMA, released its preliminary findings on the issue late Wednesday. The Commission has given stakeholders until January 9 to provide feedback on its proposed measures to ensure greater interoperability between Apple and its rivals.
The proposed measures would require Apple to provide detailed timelines and criteria for assessing interoperability requests from app developers. Apple would also need to update developers regularly and establish a fair mechanism for resolving technical disputes. Additionally, the Commission is pushing for Apple to enable interoperability for all functionalities of iOS notifications across devices like the Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, as well as any future connected Apple products.