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Apple Launches Siri AI, EU Users Miss iOS 27 Release Due to Digital Markets Act
Apple unveiled a new generation of its virtual assistant—now called Siri AI—at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2026. The upgrade, powered by Apple Intelligence, brings deeper conversational skills, a stand‑alone chat‑style app, richer visual intelligence, and fresh tools for writing and camera control.
Despite the fanfare, the company confirmed that Siri AI will not ship with iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 for devices in the European Union. The assistant will appear on macOS 27, visionOS 27 and watchOS 27, but EU‑based iPhones and iPads will continue to run the legacy Siri until a future update resolves the issue.
"We’re deeply disappointed that EU users will miss the new assistant on iPhone and iPad," said Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi. "We’ll keep engaging with EU regulators to find a path forward, but so far the regulators have not accepted any of our proposals."
The delay is rooted in the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which entered force in 2023 and imposes strict obligations on so‑called gatekeepers, including Apple. The EU regulation requires that any AI system on a device have unrestricted access to the user’s data and be able to act autonomously across apps.
Apple has built Siri AI with privacy in mind. The assistant processes most requests on the device and extends local privacy to the cloud with a “Private Cloud Compute” layer. Under the DMA’s interpretation, Apple would have to give Siri AI direct access to all user data and the ability to control other applications without user consent—an arrangement the company says would undermine its privacy and security commitments.
To bridge the gap, Apple proposed a Trusted System Agent, an intermediary that would let a virtual assistant access device features safely while preserving user control. The company also outlined an 18‑month rollout plan for the solution. The European Commission rejected the proposal, stating that it did not meet the DMA’s requirements.
Because of this regulatory impasse, EU developers will not be able to test or use Siri AI features for iOS and iPadOS apps. Apple’s public beta for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will launch later this year, but the assistant will remain unavailable in the 27 EU member states.
Apple reiterated that it will continue to work toward a safe introduction of Siri AI in the EU. The company emphasized its commitment to privacy and security and pledged to keep the dialogue open with regulators.
The DMA’s impact on Apple is part of a broader trend of EU scrutiny of large technology firms. The act targets core platform services—operating systems, app stores, and cloud services—and imposes obligations on data handling, interoperability and user choice.
At present, there is no timeline for when Siri AI will become available on iOS or iPadOS in the EU. Apple’s next public update on the matter is expected after further negotiations with EU authorities.
Until a compliant solution is found, EU users will continue to rely on the legacy Siri on iPhones and iPads. The company’s focus on privacy and the DMA’s stringent requirements underscore the growing tension between advanced AI features and regulatory frameworks designed to protect user data.
The situation remains fluid, and Apple’s engagement with EU regulators will likely shape the future rollout of AI assistants across the European market.
Despite the fanfare, the company confirmed that Siri AI will not ship with iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 for devices in the European Union. The assistant will appear on macOS 27, visionOS 27 and watchOS 27, but EU‑based iPhones and iPads will continue to run the legacy Siri until a future update resolves the issue.
"We’re deeply disappointed that EU users will miss the new assistant on iPhone and iPad," said Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi. "We’ll keep engaging with EU regulators to find a path forward, but so far the regulators have not accepted any of our proposals."
The delay is rooted in the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which entered force in 2023 and imposes strict obligations on so‑called gatekeepers, including Apple. The EU regulation requires that any AI system on a device have unrestricted access to the user’s data and be able to act autonomously across apps.
Apple has built Siri AI with privacy in mind. The assistant processes most requests on the device and extends local privacy to the cloud with a “Private Cloud Compute” layer. Under the DMA’s interpretation, Apple would have to give Siri AI direct access to all user data and the ability to control other applications without user consent—an arrangement the company says would undermine its privacy and security commitments.
To bridge the gap, Apple proposed a Trusted System Agent, an intermediary that would let a virtual assistant access device features safely while preserving user control. The company also outlined an 18‑month rollout plan for the solution. The European Commission rejected the proposal, stating that it did not meet the DMA’s requirements.
Because of this regulatory impasse, EU developers will not be able to test or use Siri AI features for iOS and iPadOS apps. Apple’s public beta for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will launch later this year, but the assistant will remain unavailable in the 27 EU member states.
Apple reiterated that it will continue to work toward a safe introduction of Siri AI in the EU. The company emphasized its commitment to privacy and security and pledged to keep the dialogue open with regulators.
The DMA’s impact on Apple is part of a broader trend of EU scrutiny of large technology firms. The act targets core platform services—operating systems, app stores, and cloud services—and imposes obligations on data handling, interoperability and user choice.
At present, there is no timeline for when Siri AI will become available on iOS or iPadOS in the EU. Apple’s next public update on the matter is expected after further negotiations with EU authorities.
Until a compliant solution is found, EU users will continue to rely on the legacy Siri on iPhones and iPads. The company’s focus on privacy and the DMA’s stringent requirements underscore the growing tension between advanced AI features and regulatory frameworks designed to protect user data.
The situation remains fluid, and Apple’s engagement with EU regulators will likely shape the future rollout of AI assistants across the European market.
