The European Union (EU) has fined tech giants Apple and Meta a total of €700 million for violating new digital competition laws.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, could worsen the already strained relationship between the EU and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Apple received a €500 million fine for blocking app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside its App Store. Meanwhile, Meta was fined €200 million for its “pay or consent” system, which gave users only two options: pay to avoid data tracking, or agree to share their data to continue using Facebook and Instagram for free.
These are the first penalties issued under the EU's new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force last year. The law aims to ensure fair competition in the digital sector by forcing major tech companies to be more open and transparent.
According to the European Commission, the fines could increase if Apple and Meta do not fix the violations within 60 days. If they fail to comply, the companies could face extra penalties.
The EU has introduced two major laws in recent years—the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act—to tighten rules on big tech. But since Trump returned to the White House, some experts feared the EU might soften its approach. Trump has often criticized the EU’s tech laws, calling them “non-tariff barriers” and accusing Europe of unfairly targeting American companies.
The fines could also affect ongoing trade talks, as the EU hopes to avoid Trump’s heavy tariffs on European goods like steel, aluminum, and cars.
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said the penalties send “a strong and clear message” and show the bloc is serious about enforcing the new laws.
Apple said it would challenge the decision, calling the fine unfair. In a statement, the company claimed the EU was punishing it for protecting user privacy and security.
Meta also pushed back, saying the EU is putting American companies at a disadvantage while letting others—like Chinese and European firms—play by different rules.
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s global affairs head and a known Trump ally, argued the EU is forcing the company to change its business model. He described the decision as a hidden tax on Meta.
Despite the fines, Apple got a small win. The EU closed a separate case against the company after Apple allowed users to delete pre-installed apps like Safari and pick their own default browser—steps that followed DMA rules.
Meta’s case centered on its controversial “pay for privacy” model, introduced in late 2023. Critics said it forced users to pay to protect their personal data. The EU found Meta did not offer users a truly free choice, as the alternative version of Facebook and Instagram was not equal in quality.
Meta submitted a revised version of its system in November, which the EU is still reviewing.
The decisions mark a major step in the EU’s efforts to regulate Big Tech, but could spark new tensions with Washington in the months ahead.
