Apple and Meta Face EU Crackdown Over Antitrust Violations

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 1,850 Views

The European Union has imposed hefty fines on Apple and Meta Platforms for breaching landmark competition rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple has been fined 500 million euros for restricting app developers from steering users toward cheaper subscription offers outside its App Store, while Meta faces a 200 million euro penalty for its binary consent or pay advertising model, which regulators deemed non-compliant with EU regulations.

Both companies have been given two months to comply with the EU's orders or risk daily penalty fines. Apple has announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that it has been unfairly targeted and that the EU's rulings could compromise user privacy and security. Meanwhile, Meta has criticized the EU's approach, claiming that regulators are attempting to handicap American businesses and force changes to its business model that could result in inferior service.

In a separate development, the EU has determined that Meta's Marketplace no longer qualifies as a gatekeeper service due to a decline in user numbers. Additionally, regulators have closed an investigation into Apple's browser options after the company made adjustments to its browser choice screen. However, Apple continues to face scrutiny over conditions that allegedly prevent users from downloading apps and alternative app stores from the web, which the EU says violates competition rules.

Regulatory Actions:

- Apple fined 500 million euros for restricting app developers from offering cheaper alternatives outside its App Store.
- Meta fined 200 million euros for its binary consent or pay advertising model, deemed non-compliant with EU rules.
- Both companies given two months to comply or face daily penalty fines.
- Meta's Marketplace no longer considered a gatekeeper due to declining user numbers.
- EU closes investigation into Apple's browser options following company adjustments.
- Apple faces additional scrutiny over alleged restrictions on app downloads from the web.

Source: USA Today, CNBC, Politico.

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