EU Fines Apple, Meta €1.8 Billion for Digital Markets Violations

The European Union has imposed significant fines on Apple and Meta for violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), targeting business practices that regulators say restrict competition and limit consumer choice. Apple was fined for preventing app developers from informing users about and directing them to cheaper alternatives outside its App Store, a breach of anti-steering obligations under the DMA. Meta was penalized for its 'pay-or-consent' model on Facebook and Instagram, which required users to either consent to personalized ads or pay for an ad-free experience, without offering a true alternative that limited personal data usage. Both companies have announced plans to appeal the decisions, criticizing the EU's actions as unfair and harmful to their business models. The European Commission has ordered immediate compliance, warning of additional penalties if the companies do not change their practices. These enforcement actions underscore the EU's commitment to curbing the power of major tech firms and ensuring fair competition in the digital marketplace.