€1.8 Billion Fine for Apple Over App Store Antitrust Violations

The European Commission has fined Apple €1.8 billion for breaching competition laws in its distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store to iPhone and iPad users. This penalty comes after the Commission's investigation revealed that Apple's anti-steering rules prevented developers from informing users about alternative and potentially cheaper subscription services, resulting in unfair trading conditions. These rules, enforced for nearly a decade, likely led to inflated subscription prices and a diminished user experience. The Commission's decision, which includes a significant penalty uplift, is intended to deter similar infractions in the future.

Apple has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, expressing concerns over the calculation of the penalty and the Commission's assessment of non-monetary harm. Despite Apple's challenge, this fine marks the culmination of a lengthy antitrust investigation into the company's app store practices. Moreover, the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) imposes additional obligations on designated gatekeepers like Apple, intensifying scrutiny on tech platforms as part of the EU's broader Digital Single Market strategy.