Apple and Meta Fined 700 million Euros for Violating EU Antitrust Rules

The European Union has imposed hefty fines on tech giants Apple and Meta, totaling 700 million euros for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This marks the first major enforcement action under the new regulation aimed at curbing Big Tech’s dominance in the digital space.

Apple was fined 500 million euros for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside its App Store. Meanwhile, Meta faced a 200-million-euro penalty for its controversial “pay or consent” model, which forces users to either pay for ad-free access to Facebook and Instagram or consent to targeted advertising.

The European Commission has given both companies 60 days to comply with the ruling or risk further penalties. While Apple and Meta have expressed strong opposition to the fines, arguing that the EU is unfairly targeting American businesses, regulators insist that the sanctions are necessary to ensure fair competition in the digital market.

This decision is expected to escalate tensions between the EU and the U.S., as President Donald Trump has previously criticized European regulations affecting American companies. The fines could also set a precedent for future enforcement actions against other tech giants operating within the EU.