The European Commission has imposed significant fines totaling €700 million on tech giants Apple and Meta for violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple faces a €500 million penalty for restricting app developers from directing users to alternative purchasing options outside its App Store. Meta has been fined €200 million for its “Consent or Pay” model, which the Commission argues does not provide users with a genuine choice regarding personal data usage.
Both companies have announced plans to appeal the decisions, criticizing the EU’s actions as unfair and potentially detrimental to innovation and user experience. The fines represent the first enforcement actions under the DMA, signaling the EU’s commitment to regulating digital markets and ensuring fair competition.
