Apple hit with €500m fine, Meta €200m for breaking EU digital markets rules
EU fines Apple and Meta for noncompliance with strict digital standards (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The European Commission has imposed the first-ever fines under the Digital Markets Act, ordering Apple to pay €500 million and Meta €200 million for non-compliance with the EU's latest digital regulations, reports Politico.
Apple and Meta hit with hefty fines under new EU tech rules
Apple has been handed a €500 million penalty for breaching the EU's app store regulations, while Meta faces a €200 million fine for its controversial "pay or consent" advertising model.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and founder of Meta (Photo: Getty Images)
These are the first-ever fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force in 2024 to set stricter standards for tech giants in the European market. In addition to the financial penalty, Apple must make further changes to its products by June or risk daily fines.
"Apple and Meta have fallen short of compliance with the DMA by implementing measures that reinforce the dependence of business users and consumers on their platforms. As a result, we have taken firm but balanced enforcement action against both companies, based on clear and predictable rules," said EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera.
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Apple, global technology company, fined €500 million by the EU (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Both companies criticized the decision.
Apple spokesperson Emma Wilson called the ruling unfair and vowed to appeal: "Despite countless meetings, the Commission continues to move the goal posts every step of the way."
Meta's Joel Kaplan said the move amounts to a "multi-billion-dollar tariff" that harms European businesses, and accused the EU of targeting American firms.
Brussels balances enforcement with political risks
The Commission's enforcement comes as it faces international scrutiny, especially from the US.
Last month, the EU was set to issue minimal fines to Apple and Meta to avoid sparking tensions with Donald Trump, who has labeled such penalties "a form of taxation" and threatened retaliation.
Sources indicated that while the DMA allows fines up to 10% of global turnover, the Commission aimed to keep penalties lower given the regulation's novelty and legal uncertainties.
The latest decisions also include concessions to both tech giants, with the EU dropping an investigation into Apple's browser practices and removing Facebook Marketplace from its regulated list.
Despite mounting pressure from Washington, EU officials stress that digital rules will be enforced consistently and independently.
