Apple and Meta hit with first fines under Europe's new Digital Markets Act

Engadget - Apr 23rd, 2025
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The European Commission has imposed hefty fines on Apple and Meta, totaling €700 million, for anti-competitive practices under the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple faces a €500 million penalty for restricting app developers from informing customers about external sales and offers, a move deemed non-compliant with the DMA. The Commission has mandated Apple to lift these restrictions henceforth. Meta, on the other hand, was fined €200 million for forcing users into a 'consent or pay' system that violated data-sharing norms. This model required users to either pay for an ad-free experience or share their data. Meta has since revised its approach but may face further penalties pending EC review.

These fines mark the first enforcement actions under the DMA, signifying the EU's stringent stance on digital market fairness and consumer rights. The situation underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny on major tech companies, with significant transatlantic tensions. Notably, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has sought intervention from President Trump to counter potential EU sanctions, highlighting the geopolitical dimensions of these regulatory measures. The story also touches on Meta's ongoing legal challenges in the US, where the Justice Department is investigating its competitive practices, potentially leading to forced divestitures of assets like WhatsApp and Instagram.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the fines levied against Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act, highlighting the reasons behind the penalties and the companies' responses. It effectively addresses a current and relevant topic with significant public interest, offering insights into the regulatory landscape for major tech companies. However, the article could benefit from improved transparency and source attribution, as it lacks direct citations or references to official statements. While generally clear and engaging, the inclusion of more context or examples could enhance comprehension and provide a more balanced perspective. Overall, the article successfully informs readers about key developments in digital market regulation, with the potential to influence public opinion and spark discussions about consumer rights and corporate accountability.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article is generally accurate in its reporting of the fines levied against Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It correctly states the amounts of the fines and the reasons behind them: Apple's restriction on developers informing customers about external offers and Meta's 'consent or pay' system. However, the article could benefit from more precise sourcing or citations to bolster its claims, such as specific statements from the European Commission or the companies involved. Additionally, while the article mentions the timeline of the investigations, it lacks detailed verification of the exact dates and processes involved, which could enhance its accuracy.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view by presenting both the actions taken against Apple and Meta and the companies' responses or changes in behavior. However, it leans slightly towards emphasizing the penalties and potential further actions against these companies without equally highlighting their efforts to comply or mitigate the issues. For instance, while it mentions Apple's proactive changes to its browser choice screen, it quickly shifts back to the penalties, which might give a skewed perception of the companies' overall compliance efforts.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It effectively outlines the main events, such as the fines issued under the DMA and the reasons behind them. The language is straightforward, and the tone remains neutral throughout. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, such as the implications of the fines for consumers or the broader tech industry.

6
Source quality

The article does not directly cite sources or provide links to official statements or documents from the European Commission or the companies involved. This lack of direct attribution weakens the perceived reliability of the information. The inclusion of authoritative sources, such as official press releases or statements from involved parties, would enhance the credibility and reliability of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. It does not provide clear citations or references to the sources of its information, such as official EC documents or statements from Apple and Meta. This omission makes it difficult for readers to verify the claims independently. Furthermore, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the basis for its claims, which could impact its perceived impartiality.

Sources

  1. https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/commission-finds-apple-and-meta-breach-digital-markets-act-2025-04-23_en
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Markets_Act