The European Commission will not immediately penalize Apple and Meta for noncompliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), despite a looming deadline. According to a Euronews report, any financial consequences will only follow a detailed assessment and discussion process. An EU spokesperson clarified that sanctions will come after initial findings are communicated to the companies as part of an ongoing dialogue.
The DMA designates tech giants like Apple, Meta, Amazon, ByteDance, and Microsoft as “gatekeepers” of key digital ecosystems. It aims to curb their market dominance and foster competition by requiring them to open their platforms to rivals and play fair with smaller companies.
Earlier this year, Apple faced a €500 million fine, while Meta was hit with a €200 million penalty for violating DMA provisions. Apple was cited for preventing app developers from directing users to alternative marketplaces, while Meta was faulted for combining user data from Facebook and Instagram without proper consent to fuel targeted advertising.
The Commission had previously ordered Apple to end these so-called “anti-steering” practices and lift restrictions preventing developers from informing users about cheaper or alternative app sources. Meta, meanwhile, is under fire for its “Consent or Pay” ad model, introduced in the EU in 2023, which regulators argue breaches data protection obligations under the DMA.
Although the current stance suggests more procedural steps before any further fines are issued, it does not imply leniency or withdrawal of the penalties.
