EU gives Apple and Meta more time to follow digital rules

The European Union is taking a patient approach with Apple and Meta, two tech giants facing scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In April 2025, Apple was fined €500 million for restricting app developers from guiding users to cheaper options outside its App Store. Meta faced a €200 million penalty for its “pay or consent” model, which pushed users to either allow ad tracking or pay for an ad-free experience.

Both fines were issued with a 60-day deadline to comply, ending June 26, 2025. However, the EU won’t impose new fines right away if the companies miss this deadline. An EU spokesperson told Euronews that further penalties will only come after a review of each company’s actions, giving them a chance to respond. This reflects the EU’s focus on encouraging compliance rather than quick punishment, a shift from past billion-euro fines under former regulator Margrethe Vestager.

Apple’s restrictions were seen as limiting competition, while Meta’s updated ad model, which uses less personal data, is still under review. The U.S. has called the DMA unfair to American firms, but for now, Apple and Meta have some breathing room to align with EU rules.