Apple has threatened to stop selling iPhones and other devices in the European Union (home to over 500,000,000 affluent consumers) if the bloc doesn't rescind the Digital Markets Act, a democratically accountable anti-monopoly law that bans Apple from blocking third parties from offering services to iPhone owners:
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@pluralistic Ha! Empty threaths.
Where are they gonna replace all those sales?
@pluralistic According to the folks of AppleInsider, who were apparently at the same press briefing as The Guardian, Apple actually never threatened to leave the EU market and, despite an insisting Guardian journalist, flat out dismissed the idea.
Bye! See ya! Dont let the door hit you . . . ohhh that's gonna leave a mark.
@pluralistic the EU should respond by amending the act to include provisions to require manufacturers not prevent users from installing alternative operating systems
@pluralistic oh I forgot #Apple thrives on that captive market which a key to Apple's continued growth.
...finally a solid hit where it matters.
@pluralistic Truly a "don't threaten me with a good time" moment.
@pluralistic In 2023, France tested 2 iphone 12 that had a SAR of 5.7 (EU limit is 4) and immediately stopped sales, until a patch was rolled out. Apple immediately updated the, then, 3 years old phone.
Apple is currently rolling out the same patch accross EU for a 5 years old phone to avoid a recall
(And the fanboys are mad about it 😄 https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/09/02/frances-unnecessary-iphone-12-rf-patch-is-spreading-across-europe )
But I am sure that Apple is really considering leaving the EU market now 🥱
@pluralistic they should for a while. We need to cut down on vanity spending
@pluralistic Counterpoint from John Gruber:
https://daringfireball.net/2025/09/apple_on_the_digital_markets_act
@pluralistic No great loss, iphones.
@pluralistic
I bet China and all the other manufacturers of phones are leaning forward in their seats, thinking "do it ... do it ... do it"
@pluralistic Is that a promise? That would be one more way to have not have an employer force an Apple product on me
good, keep your overpriced spying junk all for yourself ...
😂
@pluralistic I was never gonna buy one anyway.
Would love an episode of @daringfireball The Talk Show with @pluralistic as the guest.
@pluralistic 12,680. That's the number of H-1B visas that Apple has issued in the last three years. Today, that would represent 1.2 Billion dollars in total visa fees at the newly hiked cost. It might behoove Apple not to upset a European revenue stream at the same time they are trying to recruit/keep top international talent.
@pluralistic Wow, this paragraph sure took a turn. Have you been listening to Scandinavian metal by any chance?
I dunno... I kinda hope they do it.
But they won't. They're bluster. If... and it's a huge if, they seriously considered it what they'd do is split the company up and have an EU compliant company then the rest.
But in their hearts they're cowards. That's why they gave Trump a stupid trophy/plaque while Tim stood there being insulted by Trump of all people.
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