Apple’s “anti-steering” rules
Investigators ruled that Apple unlawfully prevented developers from telling iPhone and iPad customers about cheaper subscription offers available outside the company’s own App Store.
The commission said consumers “lost the opportunity to discover alternative, often lower-priced services,” breaching DMA provisions that require gatekeepers to allow so-called “steering.”
Meta’s advertising “pay-or-consent” model
Meta, parent of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, was penalized for obliging EU users to choose between consenting to personalized advertising or paying a monthly fee to avoid it, without offering less intrusive data-sharing options.
The commission said that model violates DMA requirements giving users real control over how their data is used for ads.
60-day compliance window
Both firms must overhaul their business terms within 60 days or face additional daily penalties of up to 5 percent of global turnover.
Apple and Meta said they would review the decisions; Apple insisted its policies foster competition, while Meta argued its subscription plan complies with EU law.
Landmark enforcement
Adopted in March 2024, the DMA targets six “gatekeeper” platforms and seeks to curb practices that stifle rivals in the EU’s €450 billion digital economy.
Wednesday’s fines mark the legislation’s debut test and underscore Brussels’ tougher line on Big Tech after previous antitrust battles under older rules.
(jh)
Source: PAP