Apple Under European Pressure: AI Delays, CTF Investigation, Fine in France

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Key Takeaways

1Apple delays Apple Intelligence and Siri AI in Europe until June 2024

2The EU is investigating the Core Technology Fee introduced by Apple

3Explicit consent required for data sharing with third-party AIs; $162M fine in France in 2025

💡Why it matters — European regulators are forcing Apple to adapt its AI strategy and ecosystem, impacting its offerings and revenue.

Amid delays in AI features in June 2024, a European investigation into its Core Technology Fee, and a $162 million fine in France in 2025, Apple finds its strategy constrained by regulators. The company maintains strict rules for the App Store and regulates access to AI capabilities while requiring explicit consent for data.

Enhanced Consent and $162M Fine in France

Apple requires applications to obtain explicit consent before sharing personal data with third-party AI models. This requirement falls under App Tracking Transparency, a feature that has drawn the attention of French regulators. In 2025, Apple was fined $162 million in France related to these practices.

European Investigation into the Core Technology Fee

In response to the Digital Markets Act, Apple established a Core Technology Fee. This fee is currently under investigation by European authorities.

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Delayed AI Features in Europe and Brussels' Response

In June 2024, Apple postponed the launch of features such as Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, citing the need to comply with the Digital Markets Act. The European Commission clarified that the decision not to deploy Siri AI in the EU was solely Apple's. Furthermore, AI applications remain accessible in the App Store. Apple allows developers to use APIs to access certain AI capabilities on the device without granting access to the model itself.

An iOS Ecosystem Still Under Tight Control

Apple maintains a single distribution channel through the App Store and prohibits sideloading. Sales are subject to commissions ranging from 15% to 30%. The company bans alternative browser engines and even the mention of other payment methods. Apple presents this control as a protection for users, relying on its long-standing mastery of its hardware. Regulators contest this position, citing monopoly concerns and the need for user choice. In 2014, Tim Cook described Android as "toxic chaos," and the influence of the European Union on Apple's decisions is now growing.