Regulatory Body Criticizes Apple and Meta for Violating the Digital Markets Act, Fails to Impose Significant Fines
European Commission Fines Apple and Meta for Breaching Digital Markets Act
In a landmark decision, the European Commission has fined tech giants Apple and Meta for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). On April 23, 2025, the commission handed down penalties of €500 million to Apple and €200 million to Meta for their non-compliance with the DMA.
The commission's actions mark a significant challenge to the stronghold of Big Tech platforms exerting too much power over rights and information flow in society.
Apple was found to be in breach of the DMA for not allowing developers to enable their users to get their apps through other channels than the App Store. The commission's decision empowers app developers and users to make use of and run software on their devices in the way they see fit.
Meta's proposed alternative to their 'Pay or Consent' model, which still forces users to choose between paying or being tracked, is not yet deemed compliant with the DMA or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Those who refuse tracking are punished with a degraded experience. The commission has not made a final decision on Meta's proposed alternative.
Meta's spokesperson has accused the European Commission of trying to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards.
The commission has also issued preliminary findings confirming that Apple makes it difficult for people to use alternative app distribution channels on iOS. The commission is concerned about Meta's intentions to not meaningfully engage in compliance efforts.
The commission declared Meta's 'Pay or Okay' model unlawful. The available search results do not contain information about which institution fined Meta and Apple in April 2025 for Digital Market Regulation violations nor about the alternative solutions Meta proposed that are not yet decided upon.
The fines imposed on Apple and Meta are seen as a pittance for companies of their size. The commission ordered both tech giants to stop the infringing behavior.
The commission's decisions come amid growing concerns about the power and influence of Big Tech platforms. The commission's actions are the first penalties under the DMA, which came into force in 2024. The commission's decisions are a clear message that the commission will not tolerate the abuse of market power by tech giants.
In conclusion, the European Commission's fines on Apple and Meta are a significant step towards ensuring fair competition and protecting the rights of consumers in the digital market. The commission's decisions set a precedent for future actions against tech giants that breach the DMA.
