EU Slaps Apple & Meta with Massive Fines Over DMA Breaches

Brussels, April 23, 2025 – In a landmark decision signaling a firm stance on digital regulation, the European Union has fined Apple a staggering €500 million ($570 million) and Meta €200 million. The penalties are the first to be issued under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), designed to curb the power of tech giants and foster competition.

The fines follow a year-long investigation by the European Commission into whether Apple and Meta were complying with the DMA, which aims to prevent dominant companies from hindering smaller rivals’ access to key markets.

Key Violations & EU Response

The EU found that Apple imposed restrictions preventing app developers from informing users about cheaper deals outside the App Store. For Meta, the “pay-or-consent” model, requiring users to either consent to data tracking for targeted ads or pay for an ad-free service, was deemed non-compliant with the DMA.

“We have taken firm but balanced enforcement action against both companies, based on clear and predictable rules,” stated EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera. “All companies operating in the EU must follow our laws and respect European values.”

Apple & Meta Respond

Both companies have voiced strong opposition to the EU’s decision. Apple plans to appeal the fine, arguing that the Commission is unfairly targeting them and forcing them to give away their technology for free.

“Today’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free,” Apple said in a statement.

Meta has also criticized the EU’s decision, with Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan asserting that the Commission is handicapping American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards. “This isn’t just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service,” Kaplan said.

Implications & Future Actions

Apple and Meta have been given two months to comply with the EU’s orders or face further daily fines. The EU is also continuing investigations into Alphabet’s Google and Elon Musk’s X for potential DMA violations.

The EU’s actions underscore its commitment to enforcing the DMA and ensuring a level playing field in the digital marketplace, despite potential tensions with the U.S. and criticism from the affected companies.

EU lawmaker Andreas Schwab has urged the Commission to maintain its investigations against Google’s adtech business and Elon Musk’s X, emphasizing that there can be no leeway in enforcement.

The Reuters news agency had previously reported on the EU decisions involving Apple and Meta last month.

($1 = 0.8773 euros)

Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Barbara Lewis and Jan Harvey.