Commission takes actions on Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act

On 23 April, the European Commission found that Apple breached its anti-steering obligation under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and that Meta breached the DMA obligation to give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data. Therefore, the Commission has fined Apple and Meta with €500 million and €200 million respectively.

The two decisions come after extensive dialogue with the companies concerned allowing them to present in detail their views and arguments.

A Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera (pictured) said: “Today's decisions send a strong and clear message. The Digital Markets Act is a crucial instrument to unlock potential, choice and growth by ensuring digital players can operate in contestable and fair markets. It protects European consumers and levels the playing field. Apple and Meta have fallen short of compliance with the DMA by implementing measures that reinforce the dependence of business users and consumers on their platforms. As a result, we have taken firm but balanced enforcement action against both companies, based on clear and predictable rules. All companies operating in the EU must follow our laws and respect European values.”

Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen said: “Enabling free business and consumer choice is at the core of the rules laid down in the Digital Markets Act. This includes ensuring that citizens have full control over when and how their data is used online, and businesses can freely communicate with their own customers. The decisions adopted today find that both Apple and Meta have taken away this free choice from their users and are required to change their behaviour. We have a duty to protect the rights of citizens and innovative businesses in Europe and I am fully committed to this objective.”

Following a constructive dialogue with Apple, the Commission has decided to close its investigation into Apple's user choice obligations under the DMA. The Commission has also informed Apple of its preliminary view that Apple's contract terms concerning alternative app distribution breach the DMA.

The Commission also found that Meta's online intermediation service Facebook Marketplace should no longer be designated under the DMA.

Find more information in the press releases on the two decisions and on the preliminary findings, online.

Share this article: