Apple Siri AI Delayed in EU Due to Digital Markets Act Compliance

Apple delayed the launch of Siri AI in the European Union due to regulatory compliance issues tied to the Digital Markets Act. The company unveiled an upgraded version of its voice assistant at the 2026 developers conference, integrating Google Gemini models into the feature. The software upgrade improves how the system understands speech and context on iPhones and iPads.

Apple refuses to open the upgraded voice assistant on iOS 27 for rival apps despite gatekeeper status.

Siri AI operates within iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, relying on cloud-based processing for complex queries while maintaining local privacy safeguards. Users can now have longer dialogues, allowing the system to better understand goals and perform actions across different apps. The company positioned the feature as a main control center for managing devices and connecting with outside services.

The upgraded model uses Google Gemini infrastructure to handle advanced reasoning tasks previously unavailable in earlier iterations. Voice instructions are handled in a protected area of the phone to keep private information safe while sending data. While the service needs Wi-Fi or mobile data to work fully, it can still handle simple requests and check schedules without a connection.

Apple refuses to open Siri AI to rival assistants on iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 despite regulatory pressure. The European Commission has classified Apple as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act, requiring equal access to equivalent features for third-party developers. Apple's approach conflicts with European rules that require fair competition in the digital market.

iOS 27 public beta releases next month ahead of a stable version expected this fall with the iPhone 18 series launch. Newer phones will get the upgraded assistant automatically, taking over from older voice tools. Initial users noticed quicker answers and smoother conversations than before.

The company argues that keeping the system controlled helps protect users and keep quality high everywhere. Officials are watching how quickly Apple follows new rules and checking if competitors have fair access to the market. The rollout remains contingent on final approval from EU authorities before full deployment.