In a major regulatory move, the European Union has slapped a €500 million fine on American tech behemoth Apple for allegedly stifling competition and restricting consumers’ access to more affordable digital services outside its official App Store.
According to the European Commission, Apple violated EU competition rules by preventing developers from informing users about alternative purchasing options—such as subscriptions or digital content—available outside the App Store, where prices are often lower due to the absence of Apple’s commission fees. The Commission argued that such restrictions have harmed both app developers and consumers, who were effectively locked into Apple’s ecosystem.
“Apple’s rules distort competition and unfairly disadvantage both consumers and app developers. This decision is a clear message that gatekeepers must play fair,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s Competition Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has also come under fire, receiving a separate €200 million penalty from EU regulators. The fine targets the company’s recent implementation of a paid subscription model offering ad-free versions of its social media platforms. The Commission found that Meta failed to provide users with a genuine choice, as individuals were pressured into either accepting extensive data tracking or paying a monthly fee for privacy—without a truly fair, free alternative.
The twin fines reflect the EU’s broader push to enforce stricter digital regulations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curb the monopolistic powers of Big Tech and ensure a level playing field for businesses operating in the digital economy.
Both Apple and Meta have indicated that they intend to appeal the decisions.
