EU Flags with the App Store logo in the middle
The European Union may finally decide whether Apple’s App Store has breached the continent’s Digital Markets Act rules, with the antitrust chief confirming a ruling could arrive within a few weeks.
Apple’s App Store has been the subject of a European Commission investigation into the Digital Markets Act for quite some time. After repeated reports claiming that a fine would be issued, it now seems that something will happen after all.
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera told lawmakers in the European Parliament on Tuesday that a decision is on the way. Reuters reports that the ruling on whether Apple and Meta had breached the Digital Markets Act will arrive in the “coming weeks,” according to Ribera.
While the assurance from Ribera that a ruling is on the way seems to be something that will happen, it is still far from guaranteed. Ribera told the publication in February that it would arrive in March, which then failed to materialize on time.
The investigation, which started in March 2024, has led to repeated reports that a ruling and the first possible DMA fines were on the way. Reports circulated about a fine in June 2024, then November 2024, and once more in March 2025.
A transatlantic decision
One of the elements affecting the EU’s potential fine against Apple is President Donald Trump, who has long threatened tariffs against the European Union, and eventually followed through.
There was a fear that the EU fining Apple over a failure to comply with the DMA could result in retaliatory actions from Trump, including tariffs against the bloc of countries. With the existing presence of Trump tariffs against EU member states, the retaliation could end up being an increase in those tariffs.
As for the actual value of the fine itself, it is believed that Apple faces a “modest” outlay from the EU. How big this would be remains to be seen, but we know the maximum fine can be up to 10% of a company’s global annual sales.
The relatively low amount is probably down to the relatively short duration of any alleged violations, since the DMA only came into force since 2023.
The European Commission is also said to prefer more on encouraging companies to comply with the DMA instead of sanctioning them. In tandem with a smaller or a completely voided fine, the EU could instead require Apple to take measures to comply, under the threat of fines.
Depending on the Trump Administration’s expected reaction to the eventual ruling, the EU could also benefit by reducing the fine amount. Doing so could be seen as a good gesture to Trump, which could affect other aspects of the strained US-EU relations.
