Overview

• Apple was fined €500 million for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper purchasing options outside its App Store.
• Meta received a €200 million fine for its 'pay-or-consent' model, which required users to either pay for ad-free services or consent to targeted ads.
• These are the first fines issued under the EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb the dominance of Big Tech gatekeepers.
• Both companies have announced plans to appeal the decisions, criticizing the EU's actions as unfairly targeting American businesses.
• The fines have heightened tensions between the EU and the Trump administration, which has threatened tariffs in response to EU tech regulations.