Apple Battles €500 Million EU Fine, Says App Store Ruling Overreaches
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Apple has taken its fight with Brussels to the EU General Court, contesting the Commission’s “unprecedented” €500 million fine levied in April for blocking developers from nudging users toward cheaper payment options outside the App Store. In its filing, the company says regulators stretched the Digital Markets Act far beyond its text by redefining “steering” to cover routine in-app promotions, forcing business terms Apple calls “confusing for developers and bad for users.”
Tensions were already high before the appeal. In late June, Apple rolled out a new two-tier commission structure for EU developers: 5 % for a bare-bones listing, 13 % for full App Store services, plus a 2 % user-acquisition fee. Apple claims Brussels dictated which perks must reside in the pricier tier—an accusation likely to feature prominently in court. Meanwhile, U.S. judges and regulators have scolded Apple for similar restrictions at home, adding global pressure on its walled-garden business model.
Analysts estimate the App Store cleared more than $10 billion last year, making any forced overhaul costly. The Commission insists its fine is proportionate and stands ready to defend it, while developers cheer the DMA’s promise of lower fees and greater freedom. With appeals and fresh policy tweaks looming, the showdown will shape how far gatekeeper platforms must bend to Europe’s competition playbook—and how much control Apple can keep over its golden marketplace.
