> No, anti-consumer sentiment is "you have to buy a different charger for each device and it becomes obsolete with the device".

But you don't? The other end of any Lightning connector is USB-A or USB-C. Works just fine anywhere.

> Factories in the EU means workers employed and taxes paid in the EU. It means a lot here.

So I guess going back to the original parent's point: if your company is producing stuff in Europe, proprietary screws are just fine from a consumer point of view. Which kind of confirms everyone's suspicions about EU regulations... they're just foreign company shakedowns under the guise of "protecting the consumer."

> Which kind of confirms everyone's suspicions about EU regulations... they're just foreign company shakedowns under the guise of "protecting the consumer."

Zero evidence was provided to support this, but I guess facts don't matter anymore.

> Zero evidence was provided to support this, but I guess facts don't matter anymore.

What do you think the whole thread was about?

Apple makes a proprietary connector: anti-consumer behavior according to the EU. Use a standard connector or get fined to oblivion.

BMW makes a proprietary, patented _screw_: perfectly acceptable according to the EU.

Are you being intentionally obtuse here or what? The proof is that you have an instance of the same behavior in two different domains, with the main difference being one company is American and one is European.

> Apple makes a proprietary connector: anti-consumer behavior according to the EU. Use a standard connector or get fined to oblivion.

This was not reactive behavior to Apple on the part of the EU, the legislation was agreed long time ago and there was a period until which all manufacturers had to adapt. Zero evidence.

> BMW makes a proprietary, patented _screw_: perfectly acceptable according to the EU.

Car (parts) market is a different one, different rules apply. Additionally it was not proven there will be no aftermarket availability of the parts. There is no proof, I am sorry.