The European Union has fined tech giants Apple and Meta a combined €700 million (~$800 million), marking the first major enforcement actions under its landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), a sweeping regulatory framework aimed at curbing the dominance of Big Tech in the digital marketplace.
The European Commission handed Apple a €500 million fine for imposing restrictions on app developers, preventing them from informing users of cheaper alternatives outside the App Store. Meanwhile, Meta received a €200 million fine for its controversial “pay-or-consent” model, which forces users of Facebook and Instagram in Europe to either pay for an ad-free experience or accept personalized advertising.
These rulings come after a year-long investigation into whether the companies complied with the DMA, which was enacted to promote fairer competition, increase consumer choice, and reduce gatekeeping by dominant digital platforms. Both Apple and Meta criticized the ruling, arguing that they are being unfairly targeted, claiming that the regulations force them to alter their business models and “give away” their technology for free.
