Commission Acts on Apple and Meta Under Digital Markets Act
The European Commission has fined Apple €500 million and Meta €200 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple violated its anti-steering obligation, while Meta failed to offer a service that minimizes personal data usage. These decisions followed extensive dialogue with both companies.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President, stated, “Todays decisions reinforce the importance of the DMA in ensuring fair digital markets. Apple and Meta must align with these rules to protect European consumers.”
Henna Virkkunen emphasized the significance of consumer choice, asserting that both companies must change practices to comply with the DMA. The Commission closed its investigation into Apples user choice obligations but raised concerns about its app distribution terms.
Metas Facebook Marketplace is no longer designated under the DMA. More details are available in the decisions and preliminary findings.
Contact: Thomas Regnier +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat +32 2 298 04 85; Sara Simonini Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67
Fourth Report on Schengen Area Highlights 40 Years of Benefits
The Commissions latest report on the Schengen Area reviews its evolution and sets priorities for the coming year. Schengen facilitates the lives of nearly 450 million people, enhancing economic growth and security.
In the past year, Schengen was the worlds most visited destination, boosting EU growth. The upcoming Schengen Governance Cycle aims to strengthen border management and accelerate digitalization.
Further details are available in the press release.
Contact: Stefan de Keersmaecker — Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Fiorella Boigner — Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34
New Geographical Indication Approved for Spanish Product
The Commission added Aguacate de Canarias to the protected geographical indications register. Grown in the Canary Islands, these avocados benefit from the unique volcanic soils and climate.
More information is available in the quality schemes page.
Contact: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03
Commission Approves Acquisition of Norva24 by Apax Partners
The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of Norva24 by Apax Partners under the EU Merger Regulation, with no competition concerns identified.
More details are available on the competition website and in the case register.
Contact: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President von der Leyen in London for EU-UK Summit
President Ursula von der Leyen will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss EU-UK cooperation. She will also attend the Summit on the Future of Energy Security, highlighting clean energy initiatives.
Watch the speech live on EBS.
Contact: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01
High-Level Roundtable on Nature Credits
Commissioner Roswall hosts a roundtable on nature credits to discuss biodiversity investments. This initiative aims to develop a credible methodology and boost private sector investment.
More information is available online.
Contact: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73