The European Commission announced new sanctions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which has been in effect since 2024. Apple has been fined €500 million for maintaining anti-competitive conditions in its App Store, while Meta faces a €200 million fine for its “pay or consent” advertising model used on Facebook and Instagram.
These measures come after a year-long investigation and represent an unprecedented step in the implementation of the EU’s new digital regulatory framework. According to Brussels, both companies’ practices reinforce their market dominance, hinder competitors’ access, and limit users’ freedom of choice.
In addition to the monetary penalty, Apple has been ordered to stop these practices by the end of June. Failure to comply could result in daily fines. Meta, for its part, in late 2024 introduced changes to its services that are still under review by the Commission.
The Commission adopted five decisions linked to the DMA. Among them was the closure of an investigation into Apple’s restrictions on the choice of default browsers and apps, following changes that opened the field to competitors such as Mozilla. It also removed the designation of Facebook Marketplace as a regulated platform, determining that it no longer falls within the scope of the DMA. With these announcements, Brussels appears to be softening the impact of the fines by offering concessions elsewhere.
At the same time, Apple has received a formal statement of objections regarding its handling of alternative app marketplaces, which could lead to further sanctions if additional violations are confirmed.
At the press conference, the Commission emphasized that the fines are “proportional” and were determined based on the severity and duration of the infringements. Spokesmen insisted that the main objective is not to punish, but to ensure compliance with the rules. The companies now have 60 days to respond; failure to do so may result in legal proceedings or daily fines.
Brussels has repeatedly stressed that the enforcement of the DMA is not part of any trade negotiation and is not driven by external pressure. Surprisingly, the two executive vice presidents, Teresa Ribera and Eva Verkunen, were absent from the significant announcement. Spokesmen justified their absence by stating the announcement was made “when it was ready.”
The European Commission affirmed that the rules apply “regardless of where a company comes from or who runs it,” reiterating that the goal is “to protect European consumers.” Brussels is also conducting similar investigations into other platforms, including X and TikTok.
These decisions come in a particularly sensitive context. The Trump administration has strongly opposed both the DMA and the Digital Services Act, accusing Brussels of unfairly targeting U.S. tech firms. The enforcement of these regulations has even been linked to the U.S.’s continued participation in NATO amid rising transatlantic trade tensions.
These investigations and sanctions are the first under the DMA but may signal the beginning of a new phase in the EU’s relationship with major digital platforms—one focused on active regulation of the European digital ecosystem.
