Apple and Meta Avoid Immediate EU Sanctions for DMA Non-Compliance

Apple and Meta have avoided immediate sanctions from the European Commission despite failing to fully comply with obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Both companies were fined in April 2025—Apple €500 million for restricting developers from directing users to alternative offers outside its platform, and Meta €200 million for its “pay or consent” advertising model, which limits user choice. The Commission granted a 60-day grace period, ending 26 June, for both companies to adjust their practices.

The Commission clarified that financial penalties will not be imposed automatically after the grace period. Instead, any further sanctions will follow a preliminary analysis and ongoing dialogue with the companies. This measured approach is part of the Commission’s strategy to prioritize compliance over punishment at this stage of DMA enforcement.

Meta responded by introducing a revised advertising model in November 2024, reducing its reliance on personal data for targeted ads. The Commission is currently evaluating this updated system while maintaining active discussions with Meta. Apple and Meta’s cases are being closely watched as precedents for how the DMA will be enforced against dominant digital platforms.

Compared to previous years, the fines are modest, reflecting the short duration of the violations since the DMA’s implementation in 2023. The broader context includes escalating trade tensions between the US and the EU, with digital services becoming a point of contention. The DMA aims to prevent market abuses by dominant platforms and ensure genuine user choice in digital ecosystems.