Apple has officially taken legal action against a €500 million ($587 million) antitrust fine imposed by the European Commission, filing an appeal with the European Union’s second-highest court. The penalty stems from Apple’s alleged breach of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law designed to curb the dominance of Big Tech companies.
The Commission accused Apple of enforcing technical and commercial restrictions that prevented app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside the App Store, violating the DMA’s fairness rules. The ruling marked one of the first major enforcement actions under the new legislation, which seeks to promote competition and consumer choice in digital markets.
Apple criticized the decision as overreaching, calling the fine “unprecedented” and claiming that the Commission is essentially dictating how it should operate its App Store. The company stated that its adjustments to comply with the DMA were made to avoid punitive daily fines, which could reach up to €50 million per day.
In June, Apple revised its App Store rules to align with the EU mandate. However, the European Commission is still evaluating whether these changes are sufficient. It is currently consulting with app developers for feedback before deciding whether additional compliance steps are necessary.
This legal battle marks a pivotal moment in the EU’s ongoing effort to rein in the market power of tech giants. The outcome of Apple’s appeal could set an important precedent for how strictly the DMA will be enforced — and how tech companies must adapt their platforms in the European digital economy.
Source: Reuters