Apple, EU reopen Siri AI talks; Commission says ‘It was a constructive exchange on topics of common interest’

European technology chief Henna Virkkunen held “constructive” talks with Apple CEO Tim Cook this week, the European Commission said on Wednesday, after the two sides clashed over the rollout of Siri AI in Europe.

The discussion marks a fresh attempt to ease a dispute that has exposed the fault lines between Apple and EU regulators over how the bloc’s competition rules affect product launches for iPhone and iPad users.

Reuters reported that the conflict centers on Apple’s claim that the upgraded Siri AI cannot initially be made available in the EU because of regulatory constraints, while the Commission has pushed back on that account.

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Fine words, firmer differences

“We can confirm that the call between EVP Virkkunen and Mr. Tim Cook took place. It was a constructive exchange on topics of common interest, on which the work continues,” the European Union spokesperson said in a statement.

That carefully worded remark suggests the two sides are still working through unresolved issues rather than reaching any immediate breakthrough. The dispute intensified last month when EU regulators and Apple traded barbs over competition rules, with Apple arguing that those rules have stopped it from releasing its upgraded assistant Siri AI in the bloc. The company says the feature is therefore unavailable to iPhone and iPad users in the region.

The rulebook grows rather weighty

Apple has also said the European Commission failed to engage constructively over how to ensure privacy and security on the company’s devices, while the Commission has blamed Apple, saying it had been unable to develop “interoperability” to meet EU standards.

The disagreement is part of a broader transatlantic argument over tougher European tech regulation, which has become a flashpoint between EU capitals and Washington. Reuters noted that US President Donald Trump has criticized the bloc’s stricter rules and large fines, saying they hurt the interests of US Big Tech.

Apple’s concerns are not limited to Siri; the company has said Europe’s Digital Markets Act has forced it to delay several features in the EU, including iPhone mirroring to Mac, live translation with AirPods, and location-based features in Maps.

A long road before common ground

The Commission said Europe accounted for nearly 27% of Apple’s total sales in its last fiscal year, though the company does not separately disclose EU sales.

The Digital Markets Act is designed to curb Big Tech’s market power, give rivals more room to compete, and offer consumers more choice, and breaches can lead to fines of as much as 10% of a company’s global annual turnover.

For now, the latest round of talks signals continued engagement, but not a resolved settlement, as both sides remain locked in a larger debate over how far Europe can go in policing dominant tech platforms.

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FAQs

Q1: Why is Apple delaying its upgraded Siri AI features in the EU?
Ans: Apple says EU regulatory requirements under the Digital Markets Act have prevented it from launching the upgraded Siri AI features in the region.

Q2: What was discussed between Apple CEO Tim Cook and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen?
Ans: The European Commission said the two held a constructive discussion on topics of common interest, with work continuing on the issues raised.