facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta has been fined 200 million euros (about Rs 1947 crores) and apple has been fined 500 million euros (about Rs 4866 crores). This fine has been imposed by the european Union's antitrust regulators. They have been found to be violating the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital Markets Act (DMA).
Action taken after a year-long investigation
For the last one year, an investigation was going on whether these companies comply with the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital Markets Act or not? The purpose of this rule is to control the dominance of big companies in the market and make it easier for small companies to enter the market and maintain competitiveness in Europe's wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital market. This fine by the european union is likely to increase tensions with US President Donald Trump, who has already announced to impose tariffs on other countries in the interest of American companies.
apple will challenge the fine
iPhone maker apple has said that it will challenge the fine. While Meta has criticized it, saying that the european Commission is trying to disrupt successful American businesses, while allowing Chinese and european companies to work under different standards. Meta further said, it is not just about the fine, but the Commission is forcing us to change our business model.
What are the allegations against them?
apple is accused of not giving enough freedom to the app developers present in the App Store so that they can give direct information about cheap deals or discounts or other offers to the users from outside their store. That is, they will have to work under Apple's rules. Due to this, these developers are not able to use alternative app distribution channels on iOS and even if they do, they have to pay Apple's core technology fees. At the same time, Meta has been fined for the pay-or-consent model. Under this, facebook and instagram users give consent for free service so that advertisers can show ads for their revenue.
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