EU set for first ‘modest’ fines against Apple and Meta under DMA
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Apple and Meta are set to be hit with the EU’s first fines under the Digital Markets Act, according to a report.
As reported by Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter suggested that modest fines may be issued against both US companies by the end of this week, with Apple potentially facing recurrent penalties for noncompliance.
The iPhone giant is being targeted for preventing apps from linking to alternate payment platforms to make purchases, while Meta is expected to be fined over ad-free services on Instagram and Facebook.
Reports of a potential fine against Apple first arose last November.
Escalating a trade war?
The EU has the power to fine companies up to 10% of their global annual revenue under the DMA and can also impose repeated fines of a maximum 5% of average daily worldwide turnover. The act came into effect in March 2024 but has yet to be used against any big tech companies more than a full year later.
This is expected to change this week.
The DMA’s first fines are anticipated to be smaller than prior antitrust penalties, in a balancing act of enforcing the EU’s rules without provoking a retaliation from US president Donald Trump.
He previously warned that the DMA will face scrutiny in the US and that he would respond to any “disproportionate” penalties against tech companies in the country with significant tariffs, escalating a trade war.
Trump is already expected to introduce a number of “reciprocal tariffs” more broadly on April 2nd, 2025.
One person familiar with the matter noted that the wider trade environment has played a role in the timing and communication of the EU’s DMA decisions, with central planning for the rollout.
However, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera claimed that the EU won’t allow fears of retaliation to stop it from taking on Silicon Valley.
The Digital Markets Act was a point of discussion on stage at PGC London 2025, where AdInMo CEO Kristan Rivers suggested fines “aren’t the right tool” to enforce change.
