The EU has fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million for breaking new Digital Markets Act rules. Apple blocked app developers from telling users about cheaper options outside their store. Meta forced users to choose between paying for ad-free service or accepting targeted ads. Both companies plan to appeal the penalties. These are the first fines under the DMA, which aims to guarantee fair competition in digital markets. Additional investigations continue.
Both tech giants Apple and Meta received significant fines from the European Union in April 2025, marking the first penalties under the new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple faces a €500 million fine, while Meta must pay €200 million for breaking the new rules designed to make digital markets fairer for everyone.
The European Commission found that Apple blocked app developers from telling users about cheaper ways to buy digital content outside the App Store. Developers weren’t allowed to steer customers to their websites or other platforms where Apple wouldn’t take a cut of the sales.
Along with the fine, Apple must stop these practices within 60 days and received a cease-and-desist order requiring specific product changes by late June.
Meta’s penalty stems from its “pay or consent” model on Facebook and Instagram. The company gave users only two choices: pay for an ad-free experience or agree to targeted advertising based on personal data.
EU regulators decided this approach unfairly forced users into a difficult choice about their privacy.
The DMA, which took effect in 2024, gives the Commission power to fine “gatekeeper” platforms up to 10% of their global annual revenue. These first fines are considered relatively modest compared to what they could have been under the maximum allowable penalties.
Both companies have announced plans to appeal the decisions. Apple claims its actions protected user privacy and security, while Meta argues the DMA rules aren’t clear enough to follow properly.
The EU is still investigating Apple for additional potential violations related to preventing users from downloading alternative app stores. They’re also reviewing whether Meta’s recent changes to its advertising model are enough to comply with the rules.
These penalties come amid growing tensions between the EU and US over regulation of American tech companies. US President Donald Trump has accused the EU of unfairly taxing American tech enterprises. Some critics have likened the fines to trade tariffs, while the EU maintains it’s simply ensuring fair competition and consumer choice in digital markets.
