EU Forges Ahead with Apple Antitrust Probes, Unfazed by Trump’s Criticisms

EU Pushes Forward with Apple Antitrust Investigation

February 18, 2025 - The European Union (EU) has decided to proceed with antitrust investigations into tech giants like Apple, Meta, and X, aiming to conclude these inquiries by March. Despite initial hesitation due to the incoming Trump administration, the EU is now committed to adhering to its principles of fairness and stability.

Key Points:

• Continued Investigations: The EU will continue with its investigations into tech giants, including Apple, despite criticisms from former US President Donald Trump.
• EU's Stance: Teresa Ribera, the EU’s competition chief, emphasized that the EU will not be influenced by US policymakers and will stick to its principles and values.
• DMA Violations: In March 2024, the EU launched probes into Apple, Google, and Meta for potential violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). For Apple, this includes issues with the App Store, third-party browser support, and fees for third-party app marketplaces.
• Apple's Efforts: Apple has made some efforts to comply with EU regulations, such as simplifying the process for EU users to choose alternative apps. However, it remains to be seen if these efforts will be deemed sufficient by the EU.
• Previous Fines: In March 2024, the EU fined Apple $2 billion for anticompetitive practices concerning Apple Music.
• DMA Compliance: Apple has been described by competitors as engaging in 'malicious compliance' with EU regulations, particularly regarding interoperability laws and third-party app stores.