Apple and Meta Nearing Resolution in European Union Antitrust Cases
Recent reports indicate that Apple and Meta are progressing towards resolving their ongoing antitrust disputes with the European Commission (EC). Negotiations, according to sources briefed on the discussions, suggest a potential settlement for both companies, thereby averting the imposition of substantial fines.
Information attributed to unnamed European officials, cited by the Financial Times, indicates growing optimism regarding the discovery of “a workable solution” in the respective cases. The resolution of these cases would be beneficial for both technology giants, mitigating the risk of accumulating significant financial penalties.
The primary point of contention with Meta centers on its “pay or consent” model. This model, employed by Facebook and Instagram, requires users to either consent to extensive data tracking or pay a monthly subscription fee for ad-free access. Meta has already incurred a fine of €200 million related to this practice. The remaining sensitive matter involves ensuring that European consumers can readily access and understand the various options Meta provides.
Apple, meanwhile, already implemented policy adjustments within its App Store in June. The EC is currently deliberating with Apple regarding potential further changes, particularly related to the company’s contractual agreements with app developers.
While the EC has not yet issued a final decision on either case, sources privy to the negotiations suggest that settlements could be reached imminently. Successful resolution would shield both Apple and Meta from potential daily penalties, which could reach a maximum of 5% of their average daily global revenue. This underscores the significance of the ongoing discussions and the potential financial impact of the final decisions.
