Apple Facing 'Modest' Fine for Violating EU's Digital Markets Act

The European Union plans to levy a "modest" fine against Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), reports Reuters.

App Store vs EU Feature 2
Last year, the European Commission decided that Apple has not complied with the anti-steering rules outlined in the DMA, and that it has not done enough to allow developers to inform customers about lower prices available outside of the App Store.

Back in June, then European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that Apple was facing a "number" of "very serious" issues with its DMA compliance in Europe, and she said that Apple's DMA changes were "not what was expected of such a company."

Apple tweaked its ‌App Store‌ rules in Europe last year in order to comply with the DMA, introducing support for app marketplaces and app distribution outside of the ‌App Store‌, along with changes to its fee structures. Apple has been updating its rules after receiving feedback from the European Commission, and it specifically updated its external linking rules last August after it became clear the EU was not happy with its anti-steering policies.

The rapid fire changes that Apple implemented can be confusing, so app developers who distribute apps in the EU can keep up with the EU rules site on Apple's developer website.

While the Digital Markets Act gives regulators the ability to fine companies up to 10 percent of their global annual sales, sources that spoke to Reuters said the European Commission is aiming to ensure that companies comply with the law rather than sanctioning them with large fines.

U.S. President Donald Trump has also claimed that he will impose tariffs on countries that fine U.S. companies like Apple, plus there has been a change in the European Commission's leadership, so Apple may not be facing the same monetary punishment that it would have received last year.

The EU has not yet decided on the size of the fine, so the situation could change, but Reuters says a decision is expected this month.

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Top Rated Comments

surferfb Avatar
17 weeks ago

In a compliance report published last week, Meta said that despite its concerted efforts to comply with EU regulation, it has continued to receive demands from regulators that go beyond what is written in the law.
Impressive work by the EU to get me to agree wholeheartedly with Meta. Well done.


Apple's DMA compliance report dated March 7 reiterated its argument that changes imposed by the law bring greater risks to users and developers, including new avenues for malware, fraud and scams.
Absolutely true, but the EU doesn’t care about any of that. Apple must be taken down a peg, no matter the harm done to EU citizens.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
17 weeks ago

I hope these things get sorted out. I personally want Pornography apps globally on iOS, with native iOS features. Europe is getting some of that. I also like the recent changes to the App Store that allow for Emulators. I am using Delta, to relive my childhood gameboy games. I believe Europe also influenced some of these decisions
I personally love this sort of clear and direct honesty in a post
No beating around the bush

No hedging with talk of "platform freedom" or other peripheral concerns or other means to justify the ends
Straight to "I want porn apps with native iOS features"

Bravo ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
17 weeks ago
There really isn't any actual news here, as no fine amount has yet been decided upon

I will now get out of the way of the usual "Go EU" vs "Hate EU!" dueling that is sure to ensue




Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zarniwoop Avatar
17 weeks ago

Where equally Apple and other tech companies rely on European inventions and services.

The world has moved on from isolationist we’re better than you attitudes.

Businesses across all sectors rely on technologies and services from other companies and other nations.
”American” iPhone relies on foreign tech
- ARM from UK, manufactred in Taiwan
- 4G, 5G, WIFI, Bluetooth, most patents owned by Nokia and Ericsson. While American standardisation associations have released many of these standards, they don’t own them. Apple is using these techs under FRAND terms.
- Displays: South-Korean, Japanese and Chinese tech
- Cameras: South-Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese tech
- Batteries: Chinese

So, if isolation is what people want, then there wont be an iPhone anymore.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zarniwoop Avatar
17 weeks ago

EU should fine Apple whatever they want, who cares about Donald and his tariff stick. Donald is another Putin. He will most likely ruin US international business market shares as retaliatory tariffs take effect.
EU, Canada and Mexico could together add +25 % tariffs on Apple products. NASDAQ would crash another 10%, Apple 20%. Over 30% of their market share would be on stake. Peoples pensions funds and banks would collapse. If China would same time start to sell their USD Bonds, the interest rates could double. Assests prices would plummet, middle class would lose their houses, jobs, health care.

And still people would praise their orange messiah, while life in Europe would continue as usual. Life without Apple wouldn’t be that big issue. It’s not a life’s necessitie. If you still need it, just pay more.

USA doesn’t understand their big surplus on service sales to Europe. If they want to harm theirshelves, just keep on tariffing. They are already about to lose hundreds of billions of weapons sales to Europe, because the USA has made themselves an untrusted partner.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
m4mario Avatar
17 weeks ago
Asking Apple to give access to developer APIs for free is extorting of American proprietary tech. However modest the fine, it’s still harassment.

US should modestly fine EU for modestly stealing US tech.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)