Europe hits Meta, Apple with €700M in fines for flouting DMA

Europe hits Meta, Apple with €700M in fines for flouting DMA

The European Commission has slammed Meta and Apple with hefty fines totalling €700 million for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking the first time companies have faced such penalties under this legislation. Apple faces a hefty €500 million fine, while Meta is not far behind at €200 million for its controversial data practices.

Source: The Register

Key Points

  • Meta and Apple are the first firms penalised under the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
  • Apple has been fined €500 million for anti-steering violations.
  • Meta received a €200 million fine for its controversial consent-or-pay advertising model.
  • Both companies claim the fines are a token amount compared to their massive revenues.
  • The fines may exacerbate tensions between the US and EU, particularly with the current political climate.

Why should I read this?

This article shines a light on a significant enforcement action against two of the biggest players in tech. It illustrates the EU’s tough stance on compliance and how these fines could stir up a political hornet’s nest between Europe and the US, especially given the ongoing tensions. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of international tech policy, this is a must-read!