New Siri AI Features Blocked in EU by Digital Markets Act

Apple’s newly revamped Siri, unveiled at WWDC 2026, won’t be available to iPhone users in the European Union upon its launch later this year. This restriction comes from the same EU regulation that has consistently compelled Apple to alter its operations in Europe.

What’s Being Withheld

At WWDC 2026, Apple introduced an entirely new Siri experience as part of iOS 27. This updated assistant features a completely redesigned app interface, enhanced on-screen awareness, and smarter responses powered by Apple’s latest AI models. It’s one of the standout features in the iOS 27 release.

However, reports from 9to5Mac and MacRumors indicate that EU users won’t have access to these features at launch. China will also miss out, though for different regulatory reasons. When iOS 27 rolls out in beta later this year, and subsequently in general release, European iPhone owners will still have the same old Siri they currently use.

Why the EU Is Being Left Out

The issue stems from the Digital Markets Act, or DMA — an EU law that took effect in 2024. This law targets what regulators refer to as “gatekeepers,” which are large tech platforms controlling access to digital markets. The DMA mandates companies like Apple to open up their systems to third-party competitors, share data in specific ways, and avoid favoring their services over others.

Apple has frequently cited concerns about complying with the DMA when withholding features from European users. The new Siri, which is intricately linked to Apple’s own apps and hardware ecosystem, seems to trigger those compliance issues for Apple’s legal team. Instead of redesigning the feature to meet EU requirements before launch, Apple has opted not to release it there initially.

Think of it like a restaurant that has perfected a dish for customers everywhere, except in one city where local health codes require a different preparation method. Instead of altering the recipe, they simply remove it from the menu in that city for the time being.

This Has Happened Before

This pattern isn’t new. Apple has previously withheld or delayed features in the EU due to DMA concerns, including certain aspects of Apple Intelligence that launched in other regions first. The EU has turned into a kind of reverse testing ground — instead of receiving new features first, European users often get them last, or not at all.

The new Siri features are part of a broader iOS 27 update, which also includes shared phone numbers, an alarm volume fix, faster AirPlay, and the visual Liquid Glass redesign introduced alongside macOS Golden Gate. Most of these will still reach EU users. It’s specifically the new AI-powered Siri experience that’s being held back.

Community Reactions

“At this point, the EU just needs to accept that DMA is making things worse for consumers, not better. I’m in Germany, and I keep watching US users get features we don’t.”

— u/Kirchenbach_M, r/apple

“Apple could comply with the DMA if they wanted to. They’re choosing not to and using European customers as leverage.”

— YouTube comment on MacRumors’ WWDC 2026 recap video

What This Means

If you’re in the EU and use an iPhone, you won’t get the new Siri when iOS 27 launches. You’ll still receive the iOS 27 update, along with most of its other features. However, the assistant experience that Apple showcased during its WWDC keynote won’t be available on your phone.

This isn’t just about missing a feature. Apple’s strategy with iOS 27 heavily relies on Siri to connect apps, tasks, and the operating system. Without the new Siri, EU users will have a version of iOS 27 that lacks a crucial component of how Apple envisions the software working.

There’s currently no timeline for when or if the new Siri will make its way to the EU. Apple has stated that features are “not initially” available there, which leaves the possibility for a future rollout open — but that qualifier has sometimes extended into years.

What To Watch

• iOS 27 beta launch (later in 2026): This is when we’ll see how Apple addresses the Siri gap for EU users within the software itself.
• EU regulatory response: The European Commission might respond to Apple’s decision to withhold features, arguing that DMA compliance shouldn’t mean removing functionality from consumers.
• Apple’s DMA negotiation track record: Keep an eye on whether Apple strikes an agreement with EU regulators that allows a modified version of the new Siri to be released in Europe, as it has done with some features in the past.
• China timeline: Apple’s timeline for launching the new Siri in China may require negotiations with Chinese regulators, and that timeline could indicate how long EU users may have to wait as well.