Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the European Commission, in a statement posted to LinkedIn (with edited video, if you’d like to watch him read parts aloud):
What is the true story behind Apple’s decision not to roll out “Siri AI” in the EU?
This decision is Apple’s and Apple’s only.
Because absolutely nothing in the DMA prohibits Apple from rolling out new features in the EU.
Yes, the European Commission and Apple had a few contacts on “Siri AI”.
But instead of offering a compliant solution, Apple asked to be exempted from its interoperability obligations under the DMA — and this for 18 months.
That’s not an option. EU rules are non negotiable.
And it would mean that no AI agent other than “Siri AI” could be chosen by EU consumers.
Apple, like any other gatekeeper, cannot close the market. The DMA is very clear about that.
Our developers have the right to compete. And our consumers the right to choose.
Those who want to keep using Apple products in their current form can of course do it.
But for those who want to use another AI agent, the DMA will give them the possibility to do so.
Why this was posted to LinkedIn and not on the EC’s own press website is as inexplicable Regnier’s bizarre choice to spread 14 short sentences across 10 paragraphs. I quoted the entirety of the statement nonetheless, to give the EC their full say. I’ll let it speak for itself in this post, but this does not contradict Apple’s position and statements in any way.