The EU is fine Apple for 500 million and destination for 200: « They violated the Digital Markets Act »
The fine has nothing to do with duties, but it is the consequence of the first EU decisions on non -compliance in the context of the DMA. The companies now have 60 days to conform to decisions.
Apple and Meta were sanctioned by the European Commission, which adopted the first non -compliance decisions in the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on April 23. The sanction for Apple is 500 million, the one per destination of 200 million euros, for having violated the obligation to put in contact with developers and users respectively of their stores and the obligation to offer consumers the opportunity to choose a service that uses less personal data. Both companies now have 60 days to conform to decisions, otherwise further penalties risk.
The duties have nothing to do with
“This has nothing to do with the duties. It is an independent decision, which only concerns the DMA and not the commercial rates, « explained an EU spokesperson. «Absolutely nothing has changed from the Commission regarding the law following the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Our desire to apply the law has not changed, « confirmed an official of the Commission.
The reasons
According to the Commission, Apple prevented the app developers from freely informing users about alternative offers outside the App Store, violating the obligation to allow the so -called « steering ». The technical and commercial restrictions imposed do not allow developers or to promote more convenient offers nor to direct users towards external purchases, despite the regulation recognizes the Cupertino company a compensation for having put in contact developer and end user.
Apple was unable to demonstrate the need for restrictions
Apple has failed to demonstrate that these restrictions are necessary and proportionate. The Commission then ordered the company to remove these restrictions and not to reiterate similar behaviors. The sanction takes into account the gravity and duration of non -compliance, but also of the fact that it is the first decision under the DMA. In parallel, Brussels closed the investigation into the obligations relating to the freedom of choice of users, thanks to Apple’s commitment to a compliant solution.
The « hard » response of Apple and Meta
Very hard are the responses of the two American companies. «The EU Commission is trying to penalize successful American companies, while it allows Chinese and European companies to operate according to different standards. It is not just a fine. The fact that the Commission forces us to change our business model is equivalent, In fact, to impose a tariff from billions of dollars in a destination, forcing us to offer a lower level service. In addition, unjustly limiting personalized advertising, the Commission is also damaging European companies and economies ». Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer of Meta, declares it by replicating the EU decision. A representative of Apple has announced appeal, affirming: « Today’s announcements are yet another example of how the commission has unjustly targeted Apple (…) despite the countless meetings, the commission continues to move the stakes at every step ».
