EU Fines Apple $570M, Meta $230M for DMA Violations

The European Commission has fined Apple and Meta a combined $800 million for violating the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking the first major sanctions under the new antitrust law. Apple was penalized for restricting app developers from informing users about alternative purchasing options outside the App Store, limiting both developer freedom and consumer choice. Meta received a fine for its 'consent or pay' model, which required Facebook and Instagram users to either accept personalized ads or pay for ad-free access, without offering a genuine alternative for less-personalized services. Both companies have been ordered to remove the offending practices and face further penalties if they fail to comply, while each plans to appeal the decisions. The EU emphasized these actions are intended to increase competition and consumer choice in digital markets, though Meta and Apple argue the regulations unfairly target successful American businesses. The fines have intensified ongoing tensions between the EU and the US over tech regulation and trade policies.