Apple voices concerns over potential billions in penalties
In a ongoing legal battle, tech giant Apple has formally appealed a €500 million fine imposed by the European Union (EU) Commission in April 2025. The fine was issued due to allegations that Apple's App Store policies violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by restricting developers from directing users to alternative payment options outside the App Store.
The EU Commission has expressed dissatisfaction with Apple's responses to its allegations, claiming that the company prevents alternatives to its App Store. The Commission's allegations also involve restricting direct subscriptions and linking from apps, practices that Apple has been accused of using to force developers and users to comply with a set of rules for using its App Store.
Apple, however, contends that the EU Commission's decision and the fine are unprecedented and go beyond legal requirements. The company argues that the EU is effectively mandating how Apple operates its App Store, which Apple claims could harm both developers and users. Apple has already made changes to comply with the DMA, such as allowing alternative app marketplaces and loosening restrictions on payment methods, primarily to avoid daily punitive fines.
The dispute between Apple and the Commission is not limited to the App Store practices but also involves the music streaming service sector, where the Commission imposed a separate €1.8 billion fine on Apple in March 2021 for abusing its market position.
The Commission is currently reviewing the changes announced by Apple in response to its allegations. The iPhone manufacturer, Apple, has been in a long-standing dispute with Brussels over violations of EU competition rules. The Commission had previously warned Apple of further penalties if the company did not adjust its business terms.
Apple's changes in response to the Commission's allegations have not fully satisfied the Commission, and the company's appeal of the fine is expected to be a significant test case for the EU's efforts to regulate the digital market. The outcome of this appeal could have far-reaching implications for Apple and other tech companies operating in the EU.
- The ongoing legal battle between Apple and the EU Commission not only revolves around the AlApp Store practices, but also extends to the music streaming service sector, with the Commission imposing a €1.8 billion fine on Apple in March 2021.
- The Commission's allegations against Apple's App Store policies, including the restriction of direct subscriptions and linking, are intertwined with the Commission's concerns about Apple's employment policy, which potentially forces developers and users to adhere to a set of rules for using the App Store.
