Apple and Meta Appeal €700 Million DMA Fines

Apple and Meta have both lodged appeals against the European Commission’s recent enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), contesting breach findings that resulted in a combined total of €700 million in fines. In March, Apple received a €500 million penalty for failing to allow app developers to direct users to external offers outside its own App Store, a practice known as “anti-steering” and prohibited by the DMA. Apple argues that the Commission’s decision and the scale of the fine exceed the requirements of the law and impose confusing business terms on developers and users alike.

To address the Commission’s concerns and avoid further daily penalties, Apple implemented changes to its App Store in June, which it claims ensure compliance with the DMA. The company intends to present these updates and its legal arguments to the Court as part of the appeal process.

Meta, meanwhile, is appealing the Commission’s finding regarding its “pay-or-consent” advertising model, which was introduced on Facebook and Instagram in November 2023. The Commission determined that Meta’s approach—requiring users to pay a fee for ad-free access or consent to personalized ads—violates DMA requirements on user consent for data processing. Meta maintains that its revised, less personalized ad model is compliant with the DMA, though the Commission has not yet confirmed its position.

In June, Meta made further minor adjustments to the presentation and wording of its pay-or-consent options, but the Commission has characterized these as insufficient. Both cases are now proceeding through the EU courts, underscoring the ongoing tension between major tech companies and EU regulators over digital market rules and user rights.