The European Commission announced that Apple and Meta violated key rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). As a result, Apple has been fined €500 million, while Meta faces a €200 million penalty. These are the first non-compliance decisions issued under the new law.
Apple was found to breach its “anti-steering” obligation. Under the DMA, app developers must be allowed to inform users about offers outside Apple’s App Store. The Commission found that Apple placed technical and commercial restrictions on developers, preventing them from sharing cheaper alternatives directly with customers.
Apple must now remove these restrictions and ensure it does not continue similar conduct. The Commission noted the seriousness and duration of Apple’s non-compliance when calculating the fine.
Meanwhile, Meta’s penalty relates to its “Consent or Pay” model introduced in March 2024. Users of Facebook and Instagram in the EU had to either agree to personal data use for ads or pay a fee. The Commission found this did not offer users a real choice to use a less personalised version of the services.
Though Meta later introduced a new option in November 2024, the Commission’s decision covers the earlier non-compliant period. Investigations into Meta’s updated model are still ongoing.
Separately, the Commission ruled that Facebook Marketplace will no longer be covered by the DMA. This follows Meta’s evidence showing that Marketplace no longer meets the legal threshold.
Apple and Meta now have 60 days to comply or face further penalties.
