Apple (AAPL, Financial) and Meta Platforms (META, Financial) are facing serious penalties from the European Commission for falling short of key rules under the EU's Digital Markets Act. Apple has been fined €500 million, while Meta is on the hook for €200 million.
The Commission says Apple broke anti-steering rules — essentially restricting how app developers can guide users to outside payment options. Meta, on the other hand, failed to offer users a real choice to limit how much personal data is used on its platforms.
While the EU has dropped one part of its investigation into Apple — related to user choice — it still believes Apple's terms around alternative app distribution may violate the rules. Meta also got a bit of a break, with Facebook Marketplace no longer under DMA scrutiny.
The companies haven't responded publicly yet.
These fines come as the EU ramps up enforcement against major tech firms. Apple, Meta, Google (GOOG, Financial), Amazon (AMZN, Financial), Microsoft (MSFT, Financial), and ByteDance were all labeled as “gatekeepers” last year, meaning they face stricter oversight. Investigations into how they operate under the DMA continue into 2025.