DMA: Apple already risks a fine… of $38 billion

Apple has just suffered, once again, the wrath of Brussels. The American company was in fact placed under investigation this Monday by the European Commission. As its president Margrethe Vestager explained during a press conference, Apple is in the process of limiting competition from new players, notably third-party App Stores.

For several weeks, the Cupertino company has been obliged to let third-party companies offer their variants to the App Store. This obligation was imposed by the European Commission in a law called the Digital Market Act, abbreviated as DMA.

But according to investigators from the same European commission, Apple played with the rules to turn them to its advantage. The apple brand is notably accused ofdon't let companies design a third-party App Store, notably with the implementation of “basic technology fees”. A new fee charged by Apple on all app downloads that come from an App Store competitor.

Apple defends itself

For its part, the apple brand defends itself from such accusations. The Cupertino company explains that it has made several commitments in recent months to evolve its positions and come into compliance with the DMA.

Company spokesperson Peter Ajemian explained in a press release that Apple had made “many efforts” in recent months and that these had enabled the Apple brand to be in full compliance. with European rules.

What does Apple risk?

As Margrethe Vestager explained in her message on X, the European Commission has just opened a new investigation against Apple. Nothing assures today that the latter will succeed and that Apple will be sanctioned.

The Cupertino company could very well be cleared at the end of the investigations. Otherwise, the European Commission could impose a new fine on Apple. The latestalready exceeded 1.8 billion dollars, and the numbers could still reach new heights with this new survey.

According to the provisions made by legislators when writing the DMA, sanctioned companies can be sanctioned up to 10% of their global turnover. In other words for Apple,the bill could reach $38 billion.