Apple appeals against $587M EU fine over breaches of bloc's tech rules

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Apple on Monday appealed against a €500 million ($587 million) fine imposed by the European Commission over breaches of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), calling the penalty "unprecedented" and claiming the ruling goes "far beyond what the law requires."

The fine was issued in April under the EU's DMA, a landmark regulation aimed at promoting fair competition and enhancing user choice in digital markets. Apple was found to have restricted app developers from directing users to cheaper deals outside the App Store, a practice known as "steering."

The case marks one of the first major enforcement actions under the DMA. The European Commission argued that Apple's restrictions prevented developers from benefiting fully from alternative channels, limiting consumers' access to cheaper offers.

"Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission's decision – and their unprecedented fine – go far beyond what the law requires," Apple said, announcing an appeal to the general court, the second-highest court in the EU.

Apple said the European Commission is "mandating how we run our store and forcing business terms which are confusing for developers and bad for users."

The company also criticized the EU executive for broadening the definition of "steering" to include not only external links but also in-app promotions and alternative payment services.