EU Postpones Apple App Store Fines Amid Tariff Negotiations [Report]

The European Union has postponed penalties against Apple and Meta Platforms that were initially planned for this week, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Friday. The decision comes as the EU navigates trade discussions with the U.S. under the Trump administration.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, had planned to issue cease-and-desist orders targeting Apple and Meta on Tuesday, with potential fines, people familiar with the matter told the WSJ. At least one company was informed of the timing. The delay was decided just before EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met U.S. officials in Washington on Monday, coinciding with President Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause on certain tariffs.

The case against Apple centers on alleged violations of the EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to foster competition by curbing the dominance of large tech firms. The commission's investigation, launched in March 2024, focuses on Apple's App Store rules. Preliminary findings last summer indicated that Apple restricts developers from directing users to alternative purchase methods and imposes unnecessary fees for transactions outside the App Store. Apple has defended its practices, stating that developers benefit from its proprietary technology and tools, according to prior comments referenced on Friday.


A commission spokesman said Tuesday, "We're currently working on the adoption of final decisions in the short term." He added that no announcement dates were set, but technical work on the cases was complete. The rulings are still anticipated, though the duration of the delay remains unclear. The commission declined to comment on its internal planning, per a Friday statement.

The Digital Markets Act cases carry potential fines of up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue, though sources expect lower penalties. The cease-and-desist orders, targeting specific business practices, are likely to have a greater impact on Apple than any fines, according to people familiar with the matter. Last month, a committee of EU member state representatives approved a plan to enforce compliance with the Act, but a Monday meeting to finalize fines was postponed, the WSJ reported.

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