Apple users in the European Union might be left without some new iOS 26 features due to strict regulations stemming from the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple’s head of legal, Kyle Andeer, confirmed that some upcoming iOS 26 features will be delayed or might not arrive at all in the European market. The most shocking potential loss? AirDrop — the quick content sharing tool available since iOS 7 — could disappear for EU users. Apple claims that DMA forces them to share their technologies with third parties, which they consider harmful to user security. They also warn that some privacy-related demands are unrealistic and favor certain European companies. Meanwhile, in China, Apple has transferred all user data to state-run data centers and removed thousands of apps, including VPN services, complying with censorship. This stark contrast has sparked criticism that Apple is inconsistent in promoting privacy and user choice. This situation casts a shadow over Apple’s reputation and raises the question: is privacy just a marketing gimmick or a genuine concern for the tech giant?
