Apple Nearing Settlement with EU Over App Store Antitrust Concerns
Apple is reportedly on the verge of reaching an agreement with the European Commission to settle a series of antitrust investigations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It seems that the company is trying to avoid those huge daily fines, which could go up to 5% of its average global revenue. Imagine the impact of that!
Both Apple and Meta have had some troubles with European regulators, receiving a combined €700 million in fines back in April 2025 for not playing nice with the EU's digital competition law. From what I understand, both companies are now in the final stages of discussions, trying to tweak their business practices to fully comply with the rules and avoid further penalties.
For Apple, the main issue is the European Commission's investigation into the App Store. If you remember, regulators found that Apple was restricting developers from telling users about deals outside its platform, which is a big no-no under the DMA's anti-steering provisions. This led to a €500 million fine and an order to change its ways.
Now, Apple did announce some changes to its App Store framework in June, specifically for the European Union. These changes include letting developers promote alternative payment options and even distribute iOS apps through external marketplaces for the first time. That's a big step, in my opinion, as it could change the way apps are distributed in the EU.
However, the European Commission isn't fully convinced yet. Officials are still talking with Apple about the new contractual terms for developers to make sure they truly remove barriers to fair competition. The Commission wants to ensure that developers can freely communicate with users about external pricing or promotions without facing extra fees or restrictions from Apple. It makes sense, right? It's all about creating a level playing field.
According to the DMA, "gatekeepers" like Apple can't favor their own services over rivals and must allow fair access to their platforms. Think of it as the EU's way of keeping big tech companies in check. If they don't comply, they could face substantial daily fines, potentially reaching billions of euros for repeat offenses. It's a serious matter.
Apple argues that it's already following EU law and has appealed the Commission's initial decision, claiming that the regulator's interpretation goes beyond what the DMA requires. The Commission is currently gathering feedback from developers and other stakeholders on Apple's proposed adjustments. I'm curious to see how this all plays out in the end.
Source: Mac Rumors