The European Union's Digital Agenda is an effort to foster openness and interoperability across the technology industry leading to improved user experience. The document, along with comments from EU commissioner Neelie Kroes, has led several news outlets to report that, while the EU's new legislation will have a huge effect a lot of companies, Apple in particular could be affected in a major way.
Daily Tech cites the Agenda as changing the necessary language from 'dominant' to just 'significant' with regard to what companies can be subject to scrutiny over abuse of their market position:
"Since not all pervasive technologies are based on standards the benefits of interoperability risk being lost in such areas. The Commission will examine the feasibility of measures that could lead significant market players to license interoperability information while at the same time promoting innovation and competition."
Daily Tech goes on to say that if the Digital Agenda is approved, it could give the EU the power to force Apple to allow Flash on its devices, as well as allow non-Apple devices to sync with iTunes.
Rethink Wireless quotes Kroes as saying it's not about going after companies like Microsoft, Intel or Apple, but offering consumers a choice:
"We need to make sure that significant market players cannot just choose to deny interoperability with their product. This is particularly important in cases where standards don't exist... This is not just about Microsoft or any big company like Apple, IBM or Intel. The main challenge is that consumers need choice when it comes to software or hardware products."
Read the full story on Daily Tech.