Apple Blocks Siri AI on EU iPhones, Here's Why

Siri AI, Apple's rebuilt assistant announced at WWDC 2026, will not reach iPhones or iPads in the European Union when iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 launch this September. Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro users in the bloc get the feature; iPhone and iPad users do not.

According to Apple, under the European Commission’s interpretation of the DMA, it would have to provide other digital assistants equal access to the iPhone, just like Siri AI does, which includes reading users' messages, making purchases, and controlling applications. It would do so with no safety mechanisms designed into the device.

Apple refers to research performed by cybersecurity specialists demonstrating that AI can be hacked to access private information and modify files.

In order to convince the authorities, Apple came up with a proposal to introduce the concept of a trusted system agent that will serve as an additional layer to allow rival personal assistants access to Siri-like capabilities.

According to an official of the commission, Apple's contact on the issue had been superficial and without any technical information, and their initiative was "essentially asking for permission to drag its heels".

However, the EU is not backing down and insists that the refusal to release the Siri AI application in Europe was done independently by Apple and had nothing to do with the DMA preventing the product from being released.

The regulators claim that the time frame proposed by Apple will give it enough time to establish dominance over its competitors and will make the product practically unassailable for many years to come.

This marks the second time Apple has delayed AI features in the EU over DMA compliance, after a similar standoff held back Apple Intelligence in 2024 until it arrived roughly six months later.