The European Union has taken a major enforcement action in the midst of tense transatlantic trade relations, issuing its first-ever fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to Apple and Meta. The tech giants have been accused of violating antitrust rules, with Apple facing allegations of restricting access to other app stores and Meta being accused of forcing users to share data or pay for ad-free services. The fines, which are expected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, could result in daily penalties for the companies. The decision has been long delayed due to concerns over retaliation against former US President Donald Trump, but it highlights Brussels' commitment to upholding digital sovereignty in the face of increasing tensions in US-EU trade relations.
Source: Handelsblatt