{"id":8905,"date":"2025-05-20T10:45:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T10:45:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pulse-z.eu\/is-big-tech-in-trouble-the-eu-fined-apple-and-meta-millions-2\/"},"modified":"2025-06-12T08:56:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T08:56:40","slug":"les-geants-de-la-tech-sont-ils-en-difficulte-lue-a-inflige-des-amendes-de-plusieurs-millions-a-apple-et-meta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pulse-z.eu\/fr\/les-geants-de-la-tech-sont-ils-en-difficulte-lue-a-inflige-des-amendes-de-plusieurs-millions-a-apple-et-meta\/","title":{"rendered":"Les g\u00e9ants de la tech sont-ils en difficult\u00e9\u00a0? L'UE a inflig\u00e9 des amendes de plusieurs millions \u00e0 Apple et Meta."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On 23 April, the European Union called out<\/a> two of the biggest names in the modern tech industry – Apple and Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram\u2019s parent company) – and gave them major fines for not playing fair in the digital sandbox.<\/p>\n

What about the fines? Not small change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apple has to pay \u20ac500 million (around $570 million) for restricting how app developers tell you, the users, about cheaper options outside the App Store.<\/p>\n

Meta got hit with a \u20ac200 million (around $228 million) penalty for making users, meaning again you, choose between paying for ad-free Facebook\/Instagram or giving up their data to be tracked for ads.<\/p>\n

This move is part of a bigger plan known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA)<\/a> – the EU\u2019s new rulebook designed to stop Big Tech from locking users into their systems and cornering digital markets.<\/p>\n

So what did Apple actually do?<\/strong>
\nIf you’ve ever used an iPhone, you know that Apple really wants you to stay inside its App Store universe. But the EU says Apple crossed a line: they stopped developers from letting users know there are cheaper or better deals elsewhere. That\u2019s like forcing you, a film lover, to buy popcorn inside the cinema without even telling you there\u2019s a store across the street selling the same thing for less. A clear example, isn’t it?<\/p>\n

EU regulators say Apple created \u201cunfair rules\u201d for developers. And under the DMA, that\u2019s a no-go. Apple now has 60 days to fix this, or the company will face even more fines.<\/p>\n

Apple already clapped back, saying they\u2019ve already made loads of changes to follow the rules, spending \u201chundreds of thousands of engineering hours.\u201d But the EU says it\u2019s not enough.<\/p>\n

Meta\u2019s “Pay or Be Tracked” strategy backfires<\/strong>
\nNow let\u2019s talk about Meta. Recently, they introduced an option in Europe<\/a>: either pay at least \u20ac10 a month to use Facebook or Instagram without ads, or let Meta track your activity for personalized ads. However, the EU\u2019s not buying it. Regulators say this setup “doesn\u2019t give users true freedom to say no to data tracking<\/strong>“. According to EU law, real consent means you should be able to use the service without having to pay extra just to protect your privacy.<\/p>\n

Meta insists they\u2019re trying to comply and even rolled out a new option to let people see \u201cless personalized\u201d ads instead of none \u2014 but the European Commission is still reviewing that. Meta\u2019s top global affairs exec, Joel Kaplan, argued the EU\u2019s rules are unfair and accused Brussels of handicapping successful U.S. businesses, while letting European and Chinese companies slide. And, to be honest, the shade is real.<\/p>\n

Why this matters to young European.<\/strong>
\nYou might be thinking: “Okay, but how does this affect me?” Here\u2019s the deal: these rules are designed to give you more control over your data. They aim to stop tech giants from making shady moves in the background \u2014 like hiding cheaper options or manipulating what you see.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a creator, developer, or run a small business, this could open up fairer access to digital tools and audiences. And for the general public or everyone else? It\u2019s about transparency, choice, and freedom in the digital world you live in every day.<\/p>\n

In a statement<\/a>, Henna Virkkunen \u2014 one of the EU’s top digital leaders \u2014 said the point of the DMA is simple: \u201cTo make sure citizens have full control over their data and businesses can talk freely to their own customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s coming next?<\/strong>
\nBoth Apple and Meta say they\u2019re going to appeal. So this isn\u2019t over \u2014 not by a long shot. But it does mark a turning point: the EU is done letting Big Tech set the rules. Now, Europe\u2019s regulators are saying like, \u201cPlay fair \u2014 or pay up.\u201d And with more investigations already brewing, don\u2019t be surprised if more fines come soon for other digital giants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Want to stay updated on how tech, law, and digital rights are shaping the European world? Follow us for more stories that matter to Gen Z.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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