Apple appeals €500 million EU antitrust fine

Apple has filed a formal appeal against a decision by European Union regulators to fine the American company €500 million ($587 million) for violating rules targeting BigTech companies, Apple Insider reports.

"Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission's decision— and their unprecedented fine— go far beyond what the law requires," the company said in a statement. "As our appeal will show, the EC is mandating how we run our store and forcing business terms which are confusing for developers and bad for users. We implemented this to avoid punitive daily fines and will share the facts with the Court."

In April, the European Commission fined Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), namely because the American company prohibits app developers from directing users outside the App Store for payment.

The daily fines mentioned by the Apple representative are part of a European Commission ruling against the company. Although the Cupertino company has made changes under the DMA, the commission may find them insufficiently effective, and Apple faces daily fines until it corrects the situation.

The fines were originally set to take effect on June 26, but regulators later postponed their implementation. Apple and the EU had said they were working together to make the necessary changes, but after the fine, the American company said the EU had effectively ignored all negotiations.

Recall that in late June, Apple also introduced a Store Service Fee as a result of an antitrust fine. These changes provide for two levels of fees - the first at 5%, where developers will receive only basic App Store features, such as app reviews and access to support. The second is 13%, which will open up full access to all App Store features.