EU crackdown on big tech: Apple and Meta face hefty fines
European Commission spokeswoman Lea Zuber expressed hope on Thursday that the EC will soon present decisions in the ongoing proceedings against Apple and Meta, the owner of Facebook. According to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), both companies could face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover.
The DMA regulates the activities of large online platforms in the EU. The aim of this regulation is to limit the dominant role of the largest digital companies, referred to as "gatekeepers," and to ensure greater competitiveness in the digital market. This applies to companies whose annual turnover in the EU exceeds $8 (£6.2) billion, and which have more than 45 million users per month.
The EC initiated proceedings against Apple and Meta in March 2024. Apple is accused of restricting access in its app stores to offers not affiliated with the company. Meanwhile, the proceedings against Meta were initiated due to its introduction of a mechanism on its platforms that gives users a choice: consent to personal data processing and receive personalised ads or pay not to see the ads.
A year ago, the European Commission announced its intention to conclude the proceedings within 12 months. However, the deadline announced by the EC has passed. On Thursday, the EC spokeswoman was asked whether the EC would wait 90 days to announce the outcome in both proceedings. The conclusion of these proceedings coincided with the turbulence surrounding tariffs imposed on trading partners, including the EU, by the Trump administration.
Although the European Union states that issues related to big tech regulations are not part of trade negotiations, the decision regarding the two American giants may impact talks about tariffs between Washington and Brussels. There is an expectation that trade negotiations will gain momentum now, after Trump announced a suspension of certain tariffs for 90 days. The EU also decided on Thursday to hold off on retaliatory tariffs.
Zuber told journalists in Brussels that the deadline to conclude proceedings against big tech, as outlined in the DMA, is flexible.
She suggested that the proceedings are taking longer because the DMA is a new regulation that provides the EC with new tools. She said EU needs to conduct these proceedings thoroughly and precisely prepare our decisions, adding that the Comission does not want these decisions to be overturned in courts, making legally irrefutable.
