Apple was trying to avoid EU regulations by claiming that ``three different web browsers for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS happen to be offered under the name 'Safari.''

In order to avoid regulations under the EU's Digital Market Law , Apple claimed that ``the iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions of Safari have the same name but are different web browsers, and they are used for different purposes.'' It became clear.

CASES DMA.100013 Apple – online intermediation services – app stores, DMA.100025 Apple – operating systems and DMA.100027 Apple – web browsers
(PDF file) https://ec.europa.eu/competition/digital_markets_act/cases/202344/DMA_100027_197.pdf

To avoid regulation, Apple said it had three Safari browsers • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/02/apple_safari_browser/

Apple Argued Safari Is Three Different Browsers to Avoid Regulation - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/04/apple-argued-safari-is-three-different-browsers/

Under the Digital Market Law, which went into effect on May 2, 2023, large-scale digital platforms are called 'gatekeepers' and are subject to regulation. The three criteria for being certified as a gatekeeper are summarized in the article below.

Seven major technology companies including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft admit to being ``gatekeepers'' under EU digital market law - GIGAZINE

In September 2023, the European Commission appointed Google's parent companies Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act, which enforces their legal obligations outlined in the Digital Markets Act. He gave them six months to comply.

Among these, Apple was certified as a gatekeeper for three core platforms: operating system (iOS), online intermediary service (App Store), and web browser (Safari). Therefore, Apple must allow third-party app stores that run on iOS and browser engines that run outside of Safari's WebKit in Europe by March 2024. If Apple fails to comply with the requirements set forth in the Digital Markets Act, it will be subject to a fine equal to 10% of its global sales.

Apple was informed that it would be designated as a gatekeeper in July 2023, and submitted a response challenging the European Commission's decision in August of the same year. Among them, Apple claimed that Safari, which is provided as the default browser for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS at the time of writing, is ``completely different from each other.''

For example, Apple says that while the sidebar feature that allows you to view open tabs, bookmarks, and browsing history is available on the iPadOS and macOS versions of Safari, it is not available on the iOS version, and Safari clearly differs depending on the platform. states.

However, the European Commission pointed out that ``Safari's functionality and underlying technology are nearly identical across platforms.'' Furthermore, the European Commission denied Apple's claim that Apple used the catchphrase ' The same Safari on every device' on Safari's official introduction page .

Furthermore, since the Digital Markets Act contains anti-circumvention provisions that prohibit the fragmentation of a platform's market share in order to avoid regulation, the argument that Safari is three different browsers would not be accepted. Even if you do so, it may violate this anti-circumvention regulation.