In a significant move first reported by the French publisher Numerama, Apple has announced it will disable automatic synchronization of Wi-Fi networks between the iPhone and Apple Watch for all users in the European Union.
This marks the first time Apple has opted to remove an existing function from its products in response to European regulations. The decision stems from a dispute over how third-party accessories connect to the iPhone, fundamentally changing the dynamic between Apple and EU regulators.
The change specifically targets the seamless way an Apple Watch connects to Wi-Fi. Currently, an Apple Watch automatically logs into Wi-Fi networks that your iPhone has previously used, even when your phone is out of range. According to the report, Apple will disable this automatic syncing in an upcoming software update.
This decision is Apple’s pointed response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has been pushing Apple to grant third-party accessories the same level of system access that the Apple Watch enjoys. This includes, critically, access to your iPhone’s Wi-Fi history. Apple has refused, citing immense privacy and security risks.
Apple’s main objection is one of user privacy. The company argues that giving a third-party accessory full access to your Wi-Fi history would be a security nightmare. It could potentially allow companies to track your location history by seeing which networks you’ve connected to, using that data for targeted advertising.
So, how will this affect your daily life? For most users, the impact will likely be minimal. The Apple Watch spends most of its time connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth. The automatic Wi-Fi sync is only used when the watch is away from the phone but on a known Wi-Fi network.
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