Apple Warns UK Risks Feature Delays Under Proposed Competition Rules
Apple has issued a strong warning that UK iPhone users may face delayed access to new features if regulators push forward with stricter competition rules. The company argues that the proposed regulations could mirror EU-style policies, which have already slowed down product rollouts in Europe.
In a statement to the BBC, Apple said the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) proposed rules are “bad for users and bad for developers.” Apple pointed to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) as evidence, noting that it previously forced the company to delay major software features for millions of European customers.
Apple Intelligence Launch Delays as a Warning Sign
One example Apple highlighted was Apple Intelligence, announced at WWDC 2024. While the feature was scheduled for a global rollout in September 2024, it was withheld from EU users for months. Apple had to re-engineer the system to comply with DMA rules before launching it in Europe in March 2025.
The tech giant argues that similar regulatory hurdles in the UK could slow down future updates, leaving British users behind while the rest of the world enjoys timely access to Apple’s innovations.
CMA’s Push for Competition in Mobile Platforms
The CMA is preparing its final decision on whether Apple and Google should be forced to open their platforms more widely. According to the regulator, the two companies control 90–100% of UK mobile devices, creating what it calls an “effective duopoly.”
If the proposed rules take effect, Apple may be required to:
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Allow developers to direct users to outside payment systems.
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Loosen restrictions on app distribution beyond the App Store.
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Improve interoperability for digital wallets and wearables like the Apple Watch.
For Apple, these measures pose a direct threat to its 30% App Store commission model, a key source of revenue.
Apple’s Counterargument: Privacy and Security at Risk
Apple insists that the CMA’s plans could weaken the protections that users rely on. The company says forcing alternative payment options and interoperability will “undermine privacy and security” and expose iPhone users to risks from less secure platforms.
Apple also argues that such measures effectively force it to “give away technology for free to foreign competitors.” In the EU, Apple claims it has already received over 100 data access requests from rivals under similar regulations—requests it believes could compromise innovation.
What It Means for UK iPhone Users
If the CMA moves forward, Apple warns UK risks feature delays under proposed competition rules, meaning future iOS updates, AI-powered tools, and even Apple Watch features may arrive months later compared to other markets.
For users, the outcome of the CMA’s final decision could determine whether the UK remains aligned with global Apple rollouts—or faces the same kind of fragmented feature launches seen in the EU.
