The European Commission is preparing to impose sanctions against Apple and Meta for breaches of the Digital Markets Act. The planned fines threatened to be particularly heavy, but one major factor is now causing Brussels to hesitate. The final decision is now seen as a major test of EU sovereignty. European.
Is the European Commission preparing to impose minimal sanctions on Apple and Meta? The Cupertino company is indeed accused by Brussels of preventing App Store developers from offering payments outside the default system on iPhone. As a result, users pay, often without realizing it, for subscriptions that are more expensive than the basic rate; Apple charges a commission on all purchases made through its store.
For its part, Meta is invited to review its consent model, known as "pay or consent," implemented on its platforms. Brussels believes, following its investigation, that the company is forcing its users to choose between accepting the use of their personal data or advertising purposes or pay a subscription that removes the advertising. In both cases, the European Commissioners conclude that these practices are contrary to the Digital Market Act in force throughout the European Union.
What the Commission will decide is seen as a major test
With the key being a very hefty fine, which could be as high as 10% of global turnover. This potentially represents billions of dollars for the two big names in American tech. However, a new element is forcing the Commission to consider significantly less severe sanctions than expected. The cause is the new tenant of the White House, who is threatening to respond to the sanctions targeting Apple and Meta with new dissuasive customs barriers.
President Donald Trump believes that these fines are nothing less than a "form of tax" that he compares to "extortion." The DMA, like other similar texts, aims to prevent powerful foreign companies from imposing practices deemed contrary to the interests of European citizens. So, the new Commission, which took office in December, is already giving signs of appeasement.
It believes that excessively heavy sanctions could lead to legal action. The authority is therefore now considering a more educational than punitive approach – with the hope of finding the right balance so that the two companies comply with the rules in force. The final decision is seen as a test by the firms concerned. The authority's ability to remain firm without attracting the wrath of Washington is indeed a point that will undoubtedly be widely discussed. The final decision should be known as early as next week.
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