The European Union hits Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines, first under digital rules

Core Points - The European Union imposed fines totaling 700 million euros ($683 million) on Apple and Meta for violating digital competition rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [3][4][6] - Apple was fined 500 million euros ($571 million) for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper purchasing options outside its App Store [4][10] - Meta was fined 200 million euros for forcing users to choose between personalized ads or paying for an ad-free experience [4][11] Company-Specific Summaries Apple - The European Commission accused Apple of imposing unfair rules that prevent app developers from steering consumers to alternative purchasing channels [9][10] - Apple has 60 days to comply with the ruling or face unspecified periodic penalty payments [4] - The company claims it has made significant efforts to comply with the DMA, stating it has spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours on changes [10][8] Meta - Meta's fine stems from its strategy of offering users the option to pay for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram, which the EU deemed insufficient for user consent regarding personal data usage [11][12] - The company introduced a third option allowing users to see fewer personalized ads without paying, which is currently under assessment by the Commission [13] - Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer criticized the fines as a multibillion-dollar tariff that would harm its business model and negatively impact European economies [14]