European Union Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton has sent a letter to Apple warning it of the consequences of tampering with the performance of USB C connections, according to German newspaper Die Zeit.
The newspaper published the text of the letter addressed to Apple, quoting the German news agency DPA, which stated that it would not allow any restrictions to be imposed on the performance of USB C connections, and that if this happened, iPhones would be prevented from being sold in the European Union in the future.
The report also indicates that the European Union warned Apple of the consequences of imposing restrictions on charging and data transfer via the USB C port at a meeting held in mid-March.
Charging port standardization
The European Union passed a law last year that forces all technology companies to unify the charging port in their devices and include a USB C port so that they can be sold within the European Union.
The law gave technology companies until the end of 2024 to comply with the law, otherwise the sale of violating devices will be prohibited after the deadline expires.
All smartphone manufacturers currently rely on the USB C port for charging and data transfer, with the exception of Apple, which still relies on the “Lightning” charging port in iPhone phones.
And press reports had indicated earlier in the year that Apple will switch to a USB C port instead of the traditional Lightning port with the upcoming iPhone 15 phones at the end of this year, but it will restrict the charging speed and data transfer in the event that uncertified “cable” connections are used. From Apple, that is, it does not hold the MFI or “Made For iPhone” license that Apple grants for accessories.
Proactive warning
Although Apple has not officially announced its plans for the next charging port in iPhone phones, the European Union has taken the initiative to warn it of any detour around the law, and intends to publish a guide to ensure a “unified interpretation” of the law by the third quarter of this year.
Many believe that the law passed by the European Union is directed specifically at Apple, which still offers the “Lightning” port in charging iPhone phones so far, while the rest of the companies have moved to the USB C port.
The EU Charging Port Standardization Act aims to reduce e-waste, sustain products and make the use of different devices more convenient.
It is worth noting that Apple has already switched to the USB C port completely in some products such as iPads, but it still relies on the Lightning port in iPhones and AirPods, and it is expected that this will change at the end of this year with the announcement of new products.
