Apple and Meta have been hit with massive fines totaling over €700 million by the European Union for violating the recently enacted Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb monopolistic practices by major tech firms.
Apple received a fine of €570 million for restricting app developers from guiding users to cheaper subscription options outside its App Store. The European Commission found that this practice hindered developer autonomy and reduced consumer choice, directly breaching the Act.
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Meta was fined €228 million for its controversial “consent or pay” model introduced in 2023. The EU ruled that the model forced users to agree to data tracking for ads or pay a fee to use Facebook and Instagram, effectively offering no real choice.
These penalties mark the first significant enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act and signal a tougher regulatory stance by the EU against dominant tech players.
Both companies are expected to challenge the decisions in court, potentially sparking a prolonged legal battle between Silicon Valley and Brussels.
