At first glance, this may sound like "normal" regulation, but this case is exceptional. European Commission It made it clear: the DMA law is not just for show. Apple was fined for preventing developers from informing users about cheaper alternatives to off-site purchases App StoreMeta, in turn, for giving its EU users a “choice” of either sharing their data for advertising or paying for access to the platforms. Both companies acted as if the rules did not apply to everyone, according to the Commission.
Apple: User protection or business model?
Apple has long said that the closed nature of its system protects users' privacy. But if a developer isn't even allowed to say "click here and buy it cheaper," isn't that a bit too much? The European Commission thinks so. And even if Apple claims that it was about protecting quality and safety, the decision from Brussels suggests that it was actually more about money. A lot of money.
Meta: The controversial “consent or pay” model
You know, you open Facebook, a window pops up and you have to make a decision. Either you accept personalized advertising or you pay. But the European Commission says that this is not a free choice, but coercion. That it is a model that abuses its dominant position. And while Meta claims that it is just giving users more choices, the reality is much more complicated.
I'm delighted to share my new article examining the European Commission's recent fines on Apple and Meta. Drawing on Magritte's symbolism, I explore the tension between visibility and control in tech regulation.
Read here: https://t.co/LgsGwkJRWi pic.twitter.com/00GfwEtNvT
—Dr. Cristina Vanberghen (@VanberghenEU) April 23, 2025
Years Apple, nor did Meta accept the decision calmly. Apple is talking about interference with innovation and privacy, while Meta is talking about unfair treatment of American companies. Both companies are planning to appeal, and it is clear that this will be a long fight. But it is this fight that will show whether tech companies should really respect the rules, or continue to write them themselves.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has one main goal: to tame the big players who do whatever they want on the internet. We are talking about companies that decide what we see, where we buy and how we communicate. With this law, the EU says: “Enough.” The user has the right to choose, the developer has the right to fair conditions and the competition has the right to a chance.
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This case is just the tip of the iceberg. A real battle between two worlds is beginning to emerge, on the one hand Europe, which wants to regulate technology, on the other hand the USA, which is worried about the dominance of its companies. It is no coincidence that there have also been words about possible retaliatory measures from the American side. But perhaps now is the time for even the largest companies to realize that Europe is not just a market, it is also a value space.
