Reports indicate that Apple could soon be facing a fine from the European Union for purported infractions of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This action would signify the EU’s first significant move against Apple since President Trump expressed concerns over EU actions affecting American businesses.
Apple likely to incur a ‘modest’ fine from EU for alleged DMA violations
According to Foo Yun Chee of Reuters:
Both Apple and Meta Platforms are expected to face minor fines for their alleged violations of crucial regulations aimed at curbing their influence, according to individuals familiar with the situation.
The European Commission has been scrutinizing both companies since last year for potential breaches of the Digital Markets Act, which could impose penalties of up to 10% of their global annual revenue.
Earlier, it was reported that the EU was nearing a decision regarding Apple’s adherence to the DMA. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera was expected to issue a ruling by the end of March, indicating that this timeline is likely to be achieved.
As highlighted by Reuters, Apple won’t be the only US firm potentially facing “modest fines” from the EU, as Meta appears to be under similar scrutiny.
Recently, Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek vocally supported EU’s decisive action against Apple, labeling its compliance efforts a “farce.”
In the past, Apple has contested criticisms suggesting that its compliance measures fail to meet the legal standards or intentions of the DMA. The EU has been engaged in an extended evaluation process to determine whether to take more actions against the company.
In late January, former US President Trump criticized the EU for targeting American tech firms with fines. If a new fine is imposed on Apple this month, it will be the first instance to gauge whether the Trump administration approaches EU actions differently compared to Biden’s administration.
The exact nature of these “modest” fines remains uncertain, but it’s possible that the EU plans to issue a minor penalty—signifying action taken, yet unlikely to provoke significant opposition from Apple or the US government.
