The European Union has imposed a combined €700 million fine on American tech giants Apple and Meta, marking the first time penalties have been issued under the bloc´s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple received a €500 million fine for restricting competition on its App Store platform, while Meta was fined €200 million for not providing users with a genuine choice in data consent for its services. The fines reflect the European Commission´s efforts to curb what it describes as anti-competitive practices and to ensure both consumer rights and market fairness in the region.
Apple and Meta swiftly condemned the decisions, with Apple criticizing the EU for targeting its business model and claiming the measures harm user privacy, product security, and effectively oblige it to offer technology for free. Meta accused the EU of disadvantaging successful American firms, saying the new requirements force the company to change its business model and result in what it called a ´multi-billion-dollar tariff.´ Both companies have been given 60 days to comply with the Commission´s directives or face further penalties, while the Commission insists the fines were determined by the seriousness and duration of each firm´s non-compliance.
The European Commission began its investigations into both firms last year under the DMA, aimed at enhancing competition in the tech industry. In Apple´s case, the Commission demanded that it allow alternative app marketplaces, a move prompted by long-standing disputes such as that with Epic Games. For Meta, the issue centered around its ´consent or pay´ subscription model for Facebook and Instagram, which regulators found did not ensure truly free user consent regarding personal data use. While the fines are smaller compared to previous antitrust actions, such as the €2.4 billion penalty against Google, they carry significant weight amid ongoing transatlantic tensions, with U.S. officials criticizing European regulations. Legal and industry observers note that these actions underscore Europe’s determination to set terms for global tech giants operating within its borders, as similar regulatory shifts emerge in the UK and elsewhere.
