Malicious compliance

2025-08-30T00:11:49Z

2A09:BAC2:908B:2D2:0:0:48:8C: /* Prominent Examples */ Just a spelling correction

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Malicious compliance is an action where one complies with a request or demand, but in such a way that it follows the wording, but not the spirit or intent of the mandate.

Applied to consumer rights, this means a manufacturer or brand complies with regulations in word, but not in spirit, thus rendering the regulation ineffective.

Some common practices include making it intentionally difficult for a consumer to exercise their rights through use of [[Dark pattern|dark patterns]], obstacles such requiring communication by letter, imposing fees, requiring registration and many more.

==Prominent Examples==

*[[Apple]]: After being required by the EU to open up their devices to apps sold outside the [[Apple App Store]], the company created a multitude of hurdles, fees and complications to make it as difficult as possible for developers to actually do this, including a requirement that every independently distributed app still be approved by Apple and fees be paid by the developer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendes |first=Marcus |date=2025-05-27 |title=EU ruling: Apple’s App Store still in violation of DMA, 30 days to comply |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/27/apple-dma-30-days-deadline/ |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=9to5Mac}}</ref>
*[[Apple]]: After the EU mandated USB-C as a charging port for all phones, Apple explored various ways to still require cable and accessorty manufacturers to go through their costly [[Made for iPhone]] certification programmes and require consumers to still buy additional cables and accessories.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Paul |date=2023-09-12 |title=Will Apple Use a Loophole in EU’s USB-C Requirement? |url=https://de.ifixit.com/News/81197/will-apple-use-a-loophole-in-eus-usb-c-requirement |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

[[Category:Common terms]]
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Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Malicious compliance