Opera Criticizes Apple's DMA Revisions as Insufficient

The Norwegian-Chinese web browser company Opera has expressed concerns regarding Apple's implementation of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). According to Opera's product manager, Jona Bolin, the modifications made by Apple do not go far enough in facilitating competition.

Under the DMA, Apple is required to loosen its grip on iOS and iPadOS, allowing for greater freedom for app developers. However, Bolin pointed out that despite the regulatory changes permitting the creation of browsers with custom engines, no major browser developers have taken action to build such products. He attributes this stagnation to Apple's market segmentation practices.

Under the current rules, custom engines are only permitted within the European Union, leaving developers unable to transition users from the global version of their browsers--which must utilize Apple's WebKit--to their own engines in the EU. Consequently, this forces developers to maintain two separate browser versions and to persuade users to adopt the appropriate one.

Bolin emphasized that managing two versions of the Opera browser poses significant risks and incurs high costs. The necessity to adhere to WebKit also restricts the introduction of features that are not supported by this engine.

For a more competitive environment, Bolin advocates for allowing browser companies to utilize their engines in all countries, not just within the EU. Alternatively, he suggests that it should be possible for developers to deliver multiple binaries that users can select based on their region, enabling them to download the browser with the custom engine instead of the system's.

On a positive note, Opera and other developers now find it easier to become the default browser on iOS. Apple has made provisions for alternative web applications, which now extends to other functionalities such as calling, messaging, and translation.

Nevertheless, Apple retains control over the approval process for these applications before they can be included in the selection of default apps. While the establishment of default apps is available outside Europe, only in the EU is there a specific 'Browser Choice Screen.' Additionally, navigation and NFC applications from third parties can only be set as defaults in designated regions.