Apple has appealed a €500 million ($570 million) fine from the European Union. The penalty came in April 2025 for allegedly violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Regulators claim Apple blocked developers from directing users to alternative payment options on the App Store.
Apple argues that it made good-faith efforts to comply. However, the company says EU officials gave little guidance or feedback during the process. Apple now accuses the Commission of ignoring its proposals and misrepresenting its intent to follow the rules.
Apple Claims Communication Breakdown
In mid-2024, Apple offered to remove its anti-steering rules. The European Commission reportedly asked Apple to delay action until it could speak with developers. Months later, the same issue became the main reason behind the fine.
Apple sent a letter to two EU departments in October 2024. In it, executives warned they lacked direction on how to comply. They also noted that the Commission seemed ready to issue a major fine, despite Apple’s ongoing efforts.
Spokesperson Emma Wilson said, “We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours on dozens of changes to meet these rules—none of which our users requested.”
EU Defends Its Decision
The European Commission responded by saying it always allowed companies to reach out. According to spokesperson Lea Zuber, Apple was told when its proposals fell short and was urged to collect developer feedback.
Still, critics argue Apple should have acted on its own proposal. Meta, which faced similar scrutiny, made early changes and received a lower fine. The details of Meta’s talks with the EU remain unclear.
Global Legal Pressure Builds
This case adds to Apple’s mounting legal troubles. In the U.S., a court recently ordered Apple to adjust its App Store policies after its dispute with Epic Games.
Apple’s EU appeal has no hearing date yet. But the result could influence how global tech giants handle app store policies in Europe and beyond.
