EU’s “Unprecedented” Fine: Apple Appeals, Citing Overreach

Apple has launched an appeal against the European Union’s “unprecedented” €500 million fine, arguing that the European Commission’s ruling on its App Store practices constitutes an overreach of its legal authority. This move marks a significant development in the ongoing regulatory skirmishes between major US tech firms and Brussels.
The hefty penalty was imposed in April, following the Commission’s determination that Apple had violated the Digital Markets Act. Specifically, the EU accused Apple of impeding app developers from guiding users to more affordable transactions outside of its proprietary App Store.
While Apple had previously revised its App Store guidelines to align with the EU’s mandate and avoid further financial penalties, the company now asserts that Brussels is improperly dictating its operational methods and imposing conditions that are disadvantageous for both the developer community and end-users.
Apple’s appeal also highlights a disagreement over the EU’s expanded definition of “steering,” arguing that the Commission has broadened its scope to include in-app promotions, adding complexity for developers seeking to offer external deals.