published a paper all but accusing Meta of abusing efforts by European regulators to require Apple devices to work seamlessly with other devices. “Meta has made 15 requests (and counting) for potentially far-reaching access to Apple’s technology stack that, if granted as sought, would reduce the protections around personal data that our users have come to expect,” Apple said. Apple claimed that if Meta succeeded in those requests, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp could read every message and email on someone’s phone, see every call they make and log all of their passwords. Sounds scary—but skepticism is warranted. As the Justice Department said when it filed an antitrust suit against Apple earlier this year, “Apple wraps itself in a cloak of privacy, security and consumer preferences to justify its anticompetitive conduct.” The Europeans want to make it easier for makers of devices like smartwatches, headphones and virtual reality headsets to connect seamlessly with iPhones, as a way of improving competition. Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses, for instance, already connect with iPhones, although the connection drops easily, which can be annoying. Transferring photos from the Ray-Bans to your phone is a bizarrely complicated process. It makes sense that Meta wants to improve the experience. It’s not in Apple’s interest, though, to help Meta, seeing as the Ray-Bans undercut the need for Apple’s own AirPods. Apple is reportedly contemplating bringing out its own smart glasses. In other words, Apple is better off if it can make Meta’s products less useful to consumers. As for Apple’s claims about how Meta could see everything on someone’s phone, Meta notes that it is only asking for the same access Apple’s wearable devices already have. Apple’s paper attacking Meta came out as European regulators asked for input from companies, organizations and individuals on how Apple should comply with the European law that requires interoperability between its devices and those of others. It looks like Apple wants to muddy the waters by painting the interoperability requirements as dangerous for users. Let’s not forget the company’s real agenda here. https://techcrunch.com/20.. #Digital Wellness 📱🧘