Will Apple Allow Users To Uninstall The Photos App? Here’s What The European Commission’s Latest Investigation States

Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) guidelines put forward by the European Union (EU), Apple has made several changes to its policies. Earlier this year, the Cupertino-based tech giant added support for alternative app marketplaces, app sideloading, and third-party browsers in the region. Now, the EU has turned its attention to the Apple Photos app, which still seems to violate the rules set by the DMA.

Here’s Why The EC Has Opened A Non-Compliance Investigation Against Apple

On March 25, the European Commission opened yet another investigation against the “gatekeepers” of the tech industry, namely Apple, Google, and Meta (formerly known as Facebook). While the points of discussion for the other two companies are beyond the scope of this article, the EC provided three reasons for opening a non-compliance investigation against Apple. “The Commission has opened proceedings against Apple regarding their measures to comply with obligations to” enable users to uninstall any app on iOS, easily change the default settings, and prompt them with a choice screen that allows them to select an alternative default service.

iOS Comes Pre-Installed With A Bunch Of Apple’s Apps

Out of the box, iPhones come pre-loaded with several Apple apps, including Music, Safari, Photos, iMessage, Health, Fitness, Podcast, and so on. While some apps are handy, such as the Health and Fitness apps for those who track their physical activities, users might prefer alternative apps for others. For instance, some iPhone users like to stream music via Spotify, so they must keep both apps, as Apple doesn’t allow uninstalling its default apps. This is the issue that the EC seems to be addressing with its latest investigation.

The EC Has Highlighted The Photos App In Particular

Per a report by Daring Fireball, the first part of the EC’s statement regarding enabling users to uninstall any app on iOS refers to the native Photos app. The publication cites this from the statement of Margrethe Vestager, Vice President of EC, who mentions that the company has failed to make several apps uninstallable (one of which is Photos) and prevents iOS users from changing their default status. While the EC might be after providing users with more options for setting a default app for viewing and editing images/videos, removing the Photos app might not be that easy for Apple.

What Happens If Apple Doesn’t Comply With EC’s Directives?

Vestager said that the “third one relates to the objective of the DMA to open closed ecosystems to enable competition at all levels. Under Article 6(3) of the DMA, gatekeepers have an obligation to enable easy uninstallation of apps and easy change of default settings. They must also display a choice screen.” The EC plans to close the non-compliance investigation within 12 months. If the company fails to comply with the EC’s directives, it might have to pay up to 20 percent of its worldwide revenue as a fine. Further, the regulatory body might oblige the company to sell a business or ban it from acquiring additional services related to the framework that’s noncompliant with the guidelines.

Here’s Why Making The Photos App Removable Could Be A Big Task For Apple

You see, Photos doesn’t only help users view and edit images/videos. It also monitors how different apps access users’ galleries and provides them with the required permission. Further, it helps back up data to iCloud, thanks to its deep integration with Apple’s cloud data service. Last but not least, the Photos app also enables users to share images via AirDrop, email, and third-party apps. As Daring Fireball’s John Gruber mentions, removing the Photos app might require Apple to re-engineer iOS.

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