Michelle ThompsonThe European Union has fined Apple and Meta a total of €700 million (£599 million) under new regulations aimed at limiting the dominance of major tech companies.
Apple received a €500 million (£428 million) penalty related to its App Store practices, while Meta was fined €200 million (£171 million) over user consent issues regarding data collection.
EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen stated the bloc is committed to defending the rights of both its citizens and its innovators.
Apple and Meta have sharply criticized the decision. Meta claimed the EU is trying to “undermine successful American companies,” while Apple argued it was being unfairly penalized and forced to “give away our technology for free.” Though not among the largest fines the EU has issued, these penalties may escalate tensions with the United States, especially amid strained economic relations.
The US has recently imposed a 10% tariff on EU goods, with President Donald Trump alleging that Europe is “taking advantage” of America.
Despite this, EU spokesperson Arianna Podesta told the BBC that the penalties are purely regulatory and unrelated to trade talks. The White House has yet to respond.
Data and apps
The European Commission, which serves as the EU’s executive arm, launched two investigations last year under the Digital Markets Act (DMA)—a law designed to ensure fairness in the tech industry.
Apple’s case centered on its App Store policies. The Commission argued that Apple violated the DMA by not allowing users and developers access to alternative app marketplaces.
Meta’s penalty involved its “consent or pay” data collection model. Under this approach, users had to either permit Meta to combine data from Facebook and Instagram or pay for a subscription. According to the Commission, this setup failed to give users genuine choice over their personal data.
Meta later introduced a new ad model in November that the Commission says “appears to rely on less personal data,” which is still under evaluation.
The Commission said the fine amounts reflect how severe and prolonged the violations were. Both Apple and Meta now have 60 days to comply or face additional penalties.
Commissioner Teresa Ribera stated that the companies have not met the DMA’s requirements, having built systems that increase user dependence on their platforms. She described the penalties as strict but justified, based on transparent legal standards.
Apple pushed back, criticizing the EU’s decisions as harmful to user privacy, product quality, and technological innovation, also accusing the Commission of shifting expectations mid-process.
Meta also objected, arguing that the EU is holding American firms to stricter rules than their European or Chinese counterparts. It said the enforcement effectively enforces a “multi-billion-dollar tariff” by forcing a major change in its business model and degrading service quality.
Epic dispute
While the €700 million fines are modest compared to the vast global revenues of Apple and Meta—and far less than Google’s €2.4 billion penalty last September—they carry significant weight given the broader economic climate.
In February, the Trump administration criticized both the EU and UK for targeting American tech companies with strict regulations. Despite the relatively small financial impact, these decisions underscore the EU’s firm stance on enforcing the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Anne Witt, a law professor at France’s EDHEC Business School, noted that the tension is less about antitrust law and more about European regulators dictating how U.S. firms must operate within Europe. She emphasized that these rulings reflect the EU’s resolve, even as the U.S. also challenges tech giants over monopoly concerns.
One vocal supporter of the EU’s action is Epic Games, known for its conflict with Apple over app distribution. CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the ruling as a win for global developers and encouraged the U.S. to introduce similar laws allowing more open app markets.
On the other side, a U.S. think tank partially backed by Apple and Meta condemned the decision, suggesting the DMA is being used to draw money from American firms despite their compliance efforts. They warned this move would likely strain relations with the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, the UK is running its own investigations into dominant tech platforms under a new digital competition law. Apple and Google’s app ecosystems, as well as Google’s search and advertising practices, are currently under scrutiny, with more probes expected into other major U.S. tech companies.
