The European Commission has announced fines totaling 700 million euros against Apple and Meta for violating digital competition rules. This news was confirmed by international media on April 23.
This is reported by Finway
According to the Commission’s decision, Apple is required to pay 500 million euros due to restrictions it imposed on developers’ freedom. The company prohibited them from directing users to alternative payment options outside of the App Store.
Meta, the owner of social networks Facebook and Instagram, received a fine of 200 million euros for its “pay or agree” system, which forces users to either pay for using the platforms or consent to the processing of their personal data.
European Commission’s Requirements for the Companies
Representatives of the European Commission state that Apple and Meta must rectify the identified violations within 60 days. Otherwise, the companies may face “regular penalties.”
“This is yet another example of an unfair attack on a company that harms the privacy of its users,” Apple stated.
Meta’s Response and Context of the Sanctions
Meta has called for a review of the European Commission’s decision, accusing European regulators of attempting to “hinder successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards.” EU spokesperson Thomas Renier responded that for the EU, it is “irrelevant” who owns the company and where it is located.
These fines mark the first instance of the application of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect last year and aims to protect competition in the digital economy. They are also imposed against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations between the EU and the United States regarding tariffs.