The European Union has fined Apple and Meta a total of about $797 million for breaking its new digital competition law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This is the first time the law has been enforced.
Apple fined $570 million
Apple was punished for allegedly stopping app developers from telling users about cheaper or alternative options outside the App Store. The EU said this limited choices and made things more expensive for users.
Meta was fined $228 million
Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company) had allegedly made users in Europe choose between paying for ad-free versions of its apps or allowing their personal data to be used for targeted ads. The EU said this gave users no real choice and broke the rules.
Both companies say the EU is unfairly targeting successful American businesses. Apple said it would appeal, and Meta said the EU is trying to “handicap” US companies.
“This isn’t just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multibillion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service,” said Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer.
These fines come at a time when the Trump administration is also criticising the EU for being tough on American tech firms.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/trying-to-handicap-us-meta-apple-rattled-as-eu-imposes-800-mn-antitrust-fines-13882571.html.
