The European Union (EU) is suing both Apple and Meta for breaching the bloc's new digital rulebook.
Apple faces a €500million fine under its Digital Markets Act, which includes a list of dos and don’ts for Silicon Valley giants.
The bloc said that Apple had failed to allow developers to link out from its App Store in order to make sales outside of the company’s marketplace.
Meta is also receiving a €200million penalty for its "pay or consent" advertising model.
Both firms must comply with the EU decision within 60 days or face further financial penalties
Getty
The DMA, which took effect in 2024, establishes new rules for how tech companies should operate in the European market.
Both firms must comply with the EU decision within 60 days or face further financial penalties.
Apple was also warned that its new fee structure for app developers isn't in line with the EU Big Tech rulebook.
The Commission issued Apple with a cease-and-desist order requiring further product changes by late June.
MORE LIKE THIS:
Meta is also receiving a €200 million penalty ion for its 'pay or consent' advertising model
PA
Apple was also warned that its new fee structure for app developers isn't in line with the EU Big Tech rulebook
Getty
If Apple fails to comply, it can be fined for each additional day it breaches the law.
Apple responded fiercely to the EU penalty, accusing the bloc's regulators of discriminating against the company.
The Cupertino-based firm said it would appeal the fine to the EU courts, claiming it was being forced to give away its technology for free.
Meta also hit back strongly at the decision.
"The EU is attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards," the company said in its response.
The penalties are notably smaller than previous EU fines under traditional antitrust law.
Last year, Apple was hit with a €1.8billion fine for shutting out music-streaming rivals on the iPhone.
Meta faced a €798million penalty for alleged abuses related to Facebook Marketplace.
Trump has specifically criticised the EU's tech regulations as non-tariff trade barriers that his 'reciprocal tariffs' are intended to target
GETTYThe more modest DMA fines come amid heightened trade tensions with US President Donald Trump.
Trump has specifically criticised the EU's tech regulations as non-tariff trade barriers that his "reciprocal tariffs" are intended to target.
The EU executive also announced it has closed an investigation into Apple's compliance with the DMA's rules on browsers and default apps.
This follows changes that helped competitors like Mozilla gain a foothold on iOS devices.
Additionally, the Commission lifted a decision that designated Facebook Marketplace as a regulated service.
This means that part of Meta's business no longer falls within the remit of the DMA.
The Commission has also escalated its enforcement against Apple's app store, issuing preliminary findings that could lead to further DMA fines.
