The European Union hits Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines, first under digital rules
apnews.com
European Union watchdogs fined Apple and Meta hundreds of millions of euros as they stepped up enforcement of the 27-nation bloc’s digital competition rules.

The European Commission imposed a 500 million euro ($571 million) fine on Apple for preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store.

The commission, which is the EU’s executive arm, also fined Meta Platforms 200 million euros because it forced Facebook and Instagram users to choose between seeing ads or paying to avoid them.

  • huppakee@lemm.eeEnglish
    2·
    21 hours ago

    Aside from whether these fines are high enough, it does at least send a message. I’m glad the EU is able to enforce the laws they have.

    • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
      3·
      20 hours ago

      EU fines generally have a bad track record when it comes to stopping companies from trying to get away with stuff, but they do have an excellent track record when it comes to making them stop.

      Differently put: You won’t see the EU levy another fine against Apple for this because Apple doesn’t fancy getting slapped with a 40bn fine. If your main armament is big enough all you’ll ever need is shots before the bow.

      • huppakee@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        20 hours ago

        I like that metaphor. So you’re saying the EU chooses to have low fines because the companies receiving them understand it could be way worse if they choose to continue?

        • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          19 hours ago

          Well, it’s sufficient. Using larger calibres for the opening salvo would increase the risk of companies succeeding in fighting fines before court, and companies generally have some kind of creative interpretation of the law at the ready to justify what they’re doing. Fining companies into bankruptcy or out of competition for a first offence is rather hard to justify, for repeat offenders, though? Companies continuing their behaviour after having received a warning fine have no excuse, now the gloves come off otherwise you’re perceived as a paper tiger.