Excerpt from Livemint Article, Published on Jun 16, 2025.
Apple is once again under the spotlight in Europe as the tech giant risks facing a fresh charge sheet from EU antitrust regulators. The European Union is preparing to escalate its investigation into Apple over alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which could lead to substantial penalties. Earlier this year, Apple was fined $579 million for non-compliance, and now, the company has until 26 June 2025 to address the EU’s concerns or face potentially harsher consequences. The European Commission is reportedly set to issue an ultimatum compelling Apple to allow app developers to inform users about cheaper alternatives outside the App Store. Apple’s current restrictions are seen by regulators as a clear breach of DMA requirements. If Apple does not comply, it could be fined up to 5% of its average daily global turnover for each day of non-compliance — a move that could cost Apple significantly.
While the EU remains tight-lipped on the exact next steps, a spokesperson confirmed that sufficient regulatory tools are available should Apple continue its resistance. Meanwhile, Apple claims that the EU keeps modifying DMA rules, making it nearly impossible to achieve full compliance. According to the company, it has already invested hundreds of thousands of hours trying to meet the evolving demands. Apple has accused EU regulators of singling it out unfairly and forcing it to relinquish proprietary technology without proper compensation. This tension follows Apple’s earlier €1.8 billion fine for blocking music-streaming rivals and adds to the growing list of regulatory actions against the company.
As Apple navigates these complex legal waters, it must act swiftly. A well-crafted proposal could potentially avert another fine, but time is running out. Apple now faces the challenge of balancing regulatory demands with its business model — a task that could define its future in Europe.
To delve deeper into this topic, please read the full article Livemint.
