Apple will not launch its new Siri AI assistant on iPhones and iPads in the European Union when iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 arrive later this year. The delay stems from ongoing disputes with EU regulators over Digital Markets Act compliance, marking another clash between Apple and European authorities over platform control and user privacy.
The company announced that EU regulators rejected multiple proposed solutions for bringing Siri AI to European users while maintaining what Apple considers essential security protections. EU users will still get access to Siri AI on Mac and Vision Pro devices, but mobile users face an indefinite wait.
This latest standoff highlights the growing tension between Big Tech companies and European regulators over AI governance. The Digital Markets Act, designed to prevent tech giants from abusing their market position, now appears to be limiting European access to new AI features. Apple argues that compliance would force dangerous security compromises, while regulators maintain their interpretation protects competition.
“We’re deeply disappointed that our EU users won’t have Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Their refusal to engage constructively on solutions that preserve privacy and security means we do not currently have a timeline for Siri AI’s availability on iOS and iPadOS in the EU.”
The core dispute centers on how virtual assistants access user data and control other apps. According to Apple, EU regulators want any AI system to have nearly unlimited device access, including the ability to read messages, make purchases, access files, and control apps without ongoing user oversight. Apple contends this creates serious security risks, especially as researchers have demonstrated AI systems can be compromised to steal personal data or alter settings without consent.
EU users will miss out on several major Siri AI features when the new operating systems launch:
- A dedicated app for revisiting past conversations
- Expanded Visual Intelligence capabilities
- Integrated writing tools
- Siri mode in the iPhone camera app
- All watchOS 27 Siri AI features, which require a paired iPhone
Apple proposed what it calls a “Trusted System Agent” – an intermediary system that would let other virtual assistants safely access Siri AI capabilities on EU devices. The company also suggested an 18-month gradual rollout plan. The European Commission rejected both proposals and all other Apple suggestions.
The situation puts European developers at a disadvantage too. Those located in the EU cannot test or use new Siri AI features for their iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS apps, potentially limiting their ability to compete in global markets where these capabilities are available.
This isn’t Apple’s first regulatory clash in Europe. The company has faced multiple DMA-related disputes, including being forced to allow alternative app stores and payment systems. However, the Siri AI delay affects ordinary consumers more directly than previous business-focused changes.
The timing is particularly significant as AI assistants become more capable and central to smartphone experiences. While competitors like Google and Samsung roll out AI features globally, European iPhone users may find themselves falling behind in accessing cutting-edge capabilities. This could influence purchase decisions and platform loyalty in one of Apple’s key markets.
Apple maintains that its approach prioritizes user privacy through on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute technology. The company argues that European regulators’ requirements would force it to abandon these protections, potentially exposing users to the same AI security risks that researchers have already demonstrated in other systems.
For now, European users face an indefinite wait for Siri AI on their iPhones and iPads. Apple says it will continue working with regulators, but given the current impasse, no timeline exists for resolving the dispute. This leaves millions of European Apple users watching from the sidelines as the AI assistant revolution continues elsewhere.
