Brussels to push ahead with enforcing digital rules on Big Tech groups but with low financial penalties for breaches

cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/24530362

Archive: https://archive.is/2025.03.28-051233/https://www.ft.com/content/c3933e2f-787e-453b-82eb-a981ddd48a31

The EU is set to impose minimal fines on Apple and Facebook owner Meta next week under its Digital Markets Act, as Brussels seeks to avoid escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump.

According to people familiar with the decisions, the iPhone-maker is expected to be fined and ordered to revise its App Store rules, following an investigation into whether they prevent app developers from sending consumers to offers outside its platform.

Regulators will also close another investigation into Apple, which was focused on the company’s design of its web browser choice screen without any further sanctions.

Meta will also be fined and be ordered to change its “pay or consent” model which forces users to either consent to data tracking or pay a subscription fee for an ad-free experience of its products.