On Wednesday, the European Union made a huge decision that surprised many by fining Apple $571 million and Meta $228.4 million, for allegedly violating digital competition law under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple, which was found guilty of blocking customers' access to alternative app stores, is now facing a fierce court battle with the EU, which has vowed to continue appealing the decision.
Meta, meanwhile, was fined for forcing users to share data for paid subscription options, a model that the EU considers to violate privacy rights.
The large fine is seen as potentially increasing tensions with the US administration since both major companies are tech giants under the American umbrella.
A few weeks ago, President Trump retaliated with tariffs on EU goods, accusing the bloc of unfairly targeting US technology companies.
As Apple and Meta grapple with tough EU regulations, the battle for digital dominance continues to heat up while setting the stage for a larger transatlantic trade drama.
