Apple set to face fine under EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act, sources say
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The regulators charged in June that the iPhone maker had breached the bloc’s tech rules.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Apple is set to be fined by the EU’s antitrust regulators under the bloc’s landmark rules aimed at reining in the power of Big Tech, making it the first company to be sanctioned, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Nov 5.
The regulators charged in June that the iPhone maker had breached the bloc’s tech rules. The charge against Apple was the first by the commission under its Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The fine is likely to come in November although the timing could still change, the sources said.
The fine would add to Apple’s mounting antitrust troubles, as EU regulators attempt to level the playing field for smaller firms.
This comes just months after Brussels fined Apple €1.84 billion (S$2.62 billion) in March
Apple also faces an investigation into new fees imposed on app developers. DMA violations could result in a fine of as much as 10 per cent of a company’s global annual turnover.
The DMA, which came into force earlier in 2024, requires Apple to allow users to set the default web browser of their choice on iPads, permit alternative app stores on its operating system and allow headphones and smart pens to access iPad OS features.
Apple declined to comment. The European Commission did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Apple also lost a long-running court battle with the EU in September, resulting in the company being forced to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland.
Bloomberg first reported on Apple’s imminent EU fine earlier on Nov 5.
Watchdogs are readying the penalty after Apple failed to allow app developers to steer users to cheaper deals and offers outside of the App Store, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the case. REUTERS
