EU Fines Tech Giants: Apple and Meta Hit with $800 Million in Penalties

In a landmark enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Union has fined Apple and Meta a combined $800 million, citing violations related to anti-competitive behavior and user data practices.

According to the European Commission, Apple was penalized for imposing restrictive conditions on app developers, particularly related to subscription models and in-app payments. Regulators argue that Apple’s long-standing practice of forcing developers to use its own payment system — while preventing them from informing users about cheaper alternatives outside the App Store — violates the DMA’s provisions aimed at curbing gatekeeper dominance.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, was fined for practices involving user consent and data collection. Under the DMA, platforms must offer users a real choice when it comes to data tracking across services. The EU found that Meta’s recent "consent or pay" model — which essentially required users to pay for an ad-free experience if they chose not to be tracked — was not compliant with the DMA’s requirements for free, informed, and non-coercive consent.

This enforcement action marks one of the first major uses of the DMA, which came into effect to ensure fairer competition and greater transparency in digital markets dominated by large tech platforms. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that this is just the beginning: "The Digital Markets Act is not just a warning—it is now a weapon. And we are using it."

Both Apple and Meta have stated they intend to appeal the fines, arguing their practices are compliant and beneficial to both consumers and developers.

Author: Global Ripple

Posted on: April 23, 2025