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Apple Faces First EU Fine Under Digital Markets Act Over App Store Practices

Image by Jay Rogers, from Flickr

Apple Faces First EU Fine Under Digital Markets Act Over App Store Practices

Reading time: 2 min

Posted on Nov 6, 2024

Written by Kiara Fabbri Multimedia Journalist
Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

The fine targets Apple’s failure to allow alternative payment options outside its App Store.
The penalty follows a €1.8 billion fine in the Spotify case earlier this year.
The EU’s DMA aims to prevent anti-competitive behavior before it harms markets.

Apple Inc. is set to face a significant fine under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) for anticompetitive practices related to its App Store, as first reported today by Bloomberg. The fine marks the first enforcement of the new rules targeting big tech companies accused of monopolistic behavior.

The European Commission is preparing the penalty after Apple allegedly failed to allow app developers to direct users to alternative, cheaper deals outside the App Store, as noted by Bloomberg. Reuters reports that sources suggest the fine is expected to be issued this month, though the timing could change.

This move comes after a similar €1.8 billion fine was imposed on Apple earlier this year for blocking Spotify from promoting cheaper subscriptions outside of Apple’s platform, said Bloomberg.

The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is designed to prevent anti-competitive behavior before it can harm the market. The penalty, expected to be issued soon, could include additional periodic fines if Apple fails to comply with the new regulations, reported Bloomberg.

Under the DMA, regulators can fine tech giants up to 10% of their global annual sales, with higher penalties for repeated violations. Additionally, the EU has forced Apple to allow third parties to access iPhones’ payment chips, opening up competition to Apple Pay, noted Bloomberg.

Apple has not commented on the potential fine, and the European Commission declined to provide further details, as reported by Bloomberg.

Kiara Fabbri

Written by: Kiara Fabbri

Hi, I’m Kiara Fabbri a Tech News Writer at WizCase. I'm a multimedia journalist with a keen interest in innovative and immersive news storytelling. Fluent in three languages—Italian, English, and Spanish—I'm deeply engaged in all facets of news reporting. I am currently undertaking a Ph.D. exploring VR applications in journalism. Following my studies in psychology (BSc) and political psychology (MSc), I embarked on a three-year journey across South America. During this time, I undertook a 4000 km solo bicycle trip from Chile to Brazil. There, I camped, cooked on the road, and volunteered in various facilities. It was during these travels that I discovered my passion for journalism. Subsequently, I pursued a Master's program in journalism innovation and enterprise. My career in journalism has seen me produce VR immersive experiences covering a range of topics. These include documenting an Anti Militaristic raid of a NATO Base, life in the Brazilian Favelas, the recent violent protest clashes in Buenos Aires and finally social projects run by Skaters in the Argentinian ghettos. In addition to my journalistic endeavours, I also practice parkour, a discipline I have cultivated over several years now. I love to make the most of this skill in my journalistic style; for example, it has enabled me to capture dynamic footage from heights during the recent violent clashes in Buenos Aires. There, I scaled heights and employed a long stick on my camera to create aerial 360° views. Through my dedication to pushing the boundaries of journalism, I am committed to amplifying voices, sparking meaningful conversations, and driving positive change in the world.

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