The European Commission has hit Apple and Meta with fines totalling $797 million, sending out a message that Big Tech must fall in line with Europe’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple will pay $570 million, while Meta has been fined $228 million. Both companies have been accused of ignoring key provisions of the law meant to open up competition in the tech space.
Apple’s offence? Blocking app developers from telling users about better, cheaper deals outside its App Store. Meta’s? Forcing users to either accept targeted advertising or pay for a version of its platforms without ads.
The Commission isn’t just punishing past behaviour, but demanding immediate change, giving both companies two months to comply or face daily penalties.
Apple has come out swinging. In a statement, the company said, “Today’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free.”
Meta also said, “The European Commission is attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards,” it said. “This isn’t just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model, effectively imposing a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service.”
From the Commission’s perspective, this is about power, not trade. They say these firms are taking over the space, setting their own rules and locking out competitors. That changes now.
The Apple ruling also questions the company for hindering sideloading — the ability to install apps from outside its store — and for imposing a Core Technology Fee that discourages developers from using alternative distribution channels.
A separate probe into Apple’s browser restrictions has been closed after the company made changes, allowing users to pick their default browser more freely.
Meta, on the other hand, is being monitored after introducing a new ad model in late 2023 that lets users choose between personalised ads or paying for ad-free access to Facebook and Instagram. The EU argues that this model puts a price on privacy — something the DMA does not tolerate.
Interestingly, the fines could’ve been much higher. Under the DMA, the Commission can impose penalties of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover. The relatively lower figures reflect the short duration of the violations and a strategy focused more on compliance than maximum punishment — at least for now.
But this isn’t the end of it. Google’s ad business, Elon Musk’s X platform, and other tech giants remain under investigation. EU lawmaker Andreas Schwab has warned against letting up: “There can be no leeway in enforcement as this may also impact the importance of competition policy in general.”
Despite the diplomatic tension this might stir with Washington — especially given Donald Trump’s previous threats to retaliate against what he sees as EU hostility towards American tech — Brussels seems undeterred. For the EU, no company is above the rules. Not even Apple or Meta.
Apple and Meta now have two months to comply with the Commission’s orders or risk daily penalties.
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