The European Union has fined Apple and Meta a combined $798 million for breaching landmark digital market rules, in a move that’s likely to heighten already strained relations between Brussels and Washington.
Apple will pay €500 million ($570 million), while Meta faces a €200 million ($228 million) penalty—both for violating the EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force in March.
The fines were announced Wednesday morning by the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm. In a firm statement, it accused the tech giants of failing to give users and developers fair access, as required under the new law designed to rein in dominant platforms.
“This is about ensuring a level playing field in the digital economy,” said EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager. “Gatekeepers must not use their power to prevent innovation or limit choice.”
Why Apple Was Fined
According to the Commission, Apple’s App Store policies blocked developers from promoting cheaper alternatives or steering customers to non-Apple payment options.
“These restrictions harm developers and consumers,” the Commission said, noting that iPhone and iPad users were being denied access to better deals outside Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem.
Apple has been ordered to scrap these “technical and commercial barriers” immediately.
In a sharp response, the company said it would appeal. A spokesperson described the ruling as “yet another example of the Commission targeting Apple in a way that undermines user privacy and product security.”
Meta’s Business Model Under Fire
Meta was fined for what regulators described as a coercive ad model. Under its current setup, users must either accept personalised advertising or pay a subscription for an ad-free version of Facebook and Instagram.
Brussels says that violates the DMA’s requirement for a third, free option—one that collects less personal data. The Commission claims Meta offered users no real choice.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, told The Wall Street Journal the company would likely appeal. “What the Commission is doing is essentially imposing a multibillion-dollar tariff on Meta,” he said. “And it’s forcing us to offer a worse version of our product.”
The EU is still reviewing a modified version Meta proposed in November. That model, dubbed “free personalised ads,” claims to rely on reduced data collection—though regulators remain sceptical.
Political Undercurrents
The ruling lands at a delicate moment. Both the EU and the US have paused planned tariffs as they attempt to renegotiate trade terms. But tensions remain.
With Donald Trump back in the White House, US tech leaders have grown increasingly vocal about what they view as Europe’s overreach. Several CEOs have reportedly lobbied Washington to push back against Brussels’ tech clampdown.
Trump officials have warned of retaliatory measures if what they describe as “unfair fines” continue. Some EU officials, in turn, have hinted that future measures could target US digital exports—putting companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft next in line.
What Happens Next
The appeals process could take months or even years. In the meantime, the Commission says it will monitor the companies closely for compliance.
“We are at the beginning of a new era in digital regulation,” said Vestager. “These cases send a clear signal: the DMA is not just words on paper. It is a law with teeth.”
For now, the bite has drawn blood. And with more probes underway, Europe’s push to reshape the digital world order is just getting started.
