Apple takes the EU to court over Digital Markets Act and €500M fine ⚖️

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Apple is pushing back against the European Commission’s recent €500 million fine, claiming the decision is unjustified and threatens the company’s business model. On Monday, July 7, 2025, the Cupertino giant announced it had officially filed an appeal, calling the penalty « unprecedented » and legally unfounded.

Apple formally challenges EU’s interpretation of the DMA 📜

According to reports shared with several media outlets, including Clubic, the fine stems from the Digital Markets Act (DMA)—a sweeping EU regulation designed to rein in the power of Big Tech “gatekeepers.”

In a letter sent to international press, Apple argued that the European Commission is overstepping its authority. The company claims the new rules imposed on the App Store harm both users and developers. Apple says it only accepted certain changes to avoid mounting daily fines but is now taking legal action to contest the broader demands.

Apple’s new commission structure under fire 💰

At the center of the dispute is Apple’s new commission model. To comply with the DMA, Apple introduced a tiered system with service fees ranging from 15% to 20%, down from the traditional 30%. However, the company says the updated structure is unnecessarily complex and ultimately unfair.

Apple also argues that no other platform is subject to such a rigid pricing framework. According to the company, the new model—rolled out under regulatory pressure—fails to meet the needs of both developers and consumers, and reflects a discriminatory approach from EU regulators.

Steering controversy heats up 🔗

Another flashpoint in the legal battle is the concept of « steering »—the ability for developers to direct users to alternative payment options outside of Apple’s ecosystem.

Initially, Apple had agreed to allow developers to promote external services through out-of-app links. But according to Apple, the European Commission has since broadened the definition, now requiring that apps support in-app third-party payments, even via embedded web views. Apple views this as an overreach and a distortion of what the DMA originally intended.

A global legal fight with high stakes 🌍

This latest clash with Brussels comes as Apple is already locked in a high-profile legal dispute in the U.S. with Epic Games, which won a partial victory over similar issues. Apple has also appealed that case.

The outcome of this European showdown could reshape the future of digital marketplaces. For Apple, the fight isn’t just about the money—it’s about protecting its right to control its ecosystem. For the EU, it’s about enforcing fair competition in the digital economy.

👉🏾 What do you think? Is the EU overreaching, or is it right to regulate tech giants like Apple more aggressively?