Why does Apple say UK rules could delay iPhone features?

Apple has warned that proposed mobile market regulations in the UK could cause delays in rolling out new iPhone features to British users. The company cites concerns that "EU-style rules" imposed by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) would compel it to share proprietary technology with competitors and hamper its ability to innovate.

This pushback echoes delays Apple has faced in Europe, where compliance with the Digital Markets Act reportedly held back the rollout of certain features, such as Apple Intelligence, for months.

What are the proposed UK mobile market regulations?

The UK CMA is planning to designate Apple and Google as "strategic market status" firms under new digital competition laws.

This status would grant the CMA authority to enforce behavioral rules, including allowing alternative payment systems, improving interoperability with third-party devices, and enabling developers to direct users outside official app stores.

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Apple was the first company to reach a $1 trillion, $2 trillion, and even a $3 trillion market capitalization.

How could UK rules impact Apple’s feature rollouts?

Apple argues these regulatory demands undermine privacy and security protections users expect.

They warn that forced technology sharing and open competition requirements could delay feature updates, affecting UK customers similarly to experiences in the EU.

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Industry reactions to Apple’s warnings

Some industry figures, like Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, criticize the UK approach as too slow, urging faster moves toward alternative app stores and open competition.

He argues that delayed reforms leave the UK lagging behind regions like the EU, US, and Australia.

The Competition and Markets Authority’s response

The CMA rejects Apple's claim that its regulations mimic European laws outright. The authority states that the UK's rules focus specifically on interoperability without undermining user privacy or intellectual property.

It maintains that promoting competition does not conflict with protecting users’ security.

The CMA is expected to finalize the designation of strategic market firms by October 22, 2025, with consultations on interventions to follow in autumn.