<p>The European Union on Monday (March 4) hit iPhone maker Apple with an antitrust fine of over 1.8 billion euros ($1.95 billion) for preventing music streaming services like Spotify from informing users about payment options outside its App Store.</p>

<p>The European Commission said it "found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app".</p>

<p>"This is illegal under EU antitrust rules," the EU's powerful antitrust regulator said.</p>

<p>"Apple's conduct, which lasted for almost ten years, may have led many iOS users to pay significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions because of the high commission fee imposed by Apple on developers and passed on to consumers," it further added.</p>

<p>Swedish music streaming service Spotify lodged a complaint in the year 2019 which triggered a broad commission probe into the firm in 2021. However, Brussels narrowed its investigation last year to focus more on Apple's actions of barring applications from providing users with information about rival music subscription options.</p>

<p>"For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store," Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.</p>

<p>"We have ordered Apple to remove the necessary provisions and to refrain from similar practices in the future," Vestager told reporters.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-sorry-over-unreliable-platform-gemini-after-controversial-remarks-on-pm-modi-696490">Google sorry over 'unreliable' platform Gemini after remarks on PM Modi</a></p>

<h2><strong>Apple says will appeal penalty</strong></h2>

<p>Apple released a statement slamming the EU's decision and said that it would appeal the penalty.</p>

<p>"The decision was reached despite the Commission's failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast," Apple said in a statement.</p>

<p>"While we respect the European Commission, the facts simply don't support this decision. And as a result, Apple will appeal," the company added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The European Union on Monday (March 4) hit iPhone maker Apple with an antitrust fine of over 1.8 billion euros ($1.95 billion) for preventing music streaming services like Spotify from informing users about payment options outside its App Store.

The European Union on Monday (March 4) hit iPhone maker Apple with an antitrust fine of over 1.8 billion euros ($1.95 billion) for preventing music streaming services like Spotify from informing users about payment options outside its App Store. The European Commission said it "found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app". "This is illegal under EU antitrust rules," the EU's powerful antitrust regulator said. "Apple's conduct, which lasted for almost ten years, may have led many iOS users to pay significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions because of the high commission fee imposed by Apple on developers and passed on to consumers," it further added. Swedish music streaming service Spotify lodged a complaint in the year 2019 which triggered a broad commission probe into the firm in 2021. However, Brussels narrowed its investigation last year to focus more on Apple's actions of barring applications from providing users with information about rival music subscription options. "For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store," Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. "We have ordered Apple to remove the necessary provisions and to refrain from similar practices in the future," Vestager told reporters. Also read: Google sorry over 'unreliable' platform Gemini after remarks on PM Modi Apple says will appeal penalty Apple released a statement slamming the EU's decision and said that it would appeal the penalty. "The decision was reached despite the Commission's failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast," Apple said in a statement. "While we respect the European Commission, the facts simply don't support this decision. And as a result, Apple will appeal," the company added. (With inputs from agencies)

EU hits Apple with 1.8 billion euro antitrust fine, firm says will appeal penalty

<p>European Union is all set to deal another massive blow to the US technology giant Google through a formal antitrust complaint. Bloomberg reported that the EU could launch the charge sheet against Google as soon as Wednesday, which could result in the EU imposing more fines on the US company along with targeting its highly successful ad tech model.</p>

<p>It must be noted that Google generates about 80 per cent of its total revenues from the advertising business, and any rule by the EU targeting its ads model could have a major impact on the company’s performance.</p>

<h2><strong>The toughest ever anti-Google move by the EU</strong></h2>

<p>The EU’s recent move against Google is considered to be the toughest ever taken by the EU’s watchdog. Earlier, the EU launched an investigation against Google back in 2021, which aimed at examining whether Google obstructed rivals' access to user data for online advertising and if it unfairly ring-fenced data for its own use.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Under EU regulations, fines for antitrust violations can be as high as 10 per cent of a company's global sales. However, it is uncommon for penalties to reach such levels, and companies have the opportunity to defend themselves both before and after fines are imposed.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Google updates its attendance policy</strong></p>

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<p>Google has held a dominant position in the industry, enabling it to gather data that facilitates targeted advertising, sell ad space, and provide the technology that connects advertisers with publishers.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Google in hot water&nbsp;across nations</strong></h2>

<p>The UK's competition authority has also been examining Google's ad tech practices, while ongoing litigation against the company's conduct is underway in the United States.</p>

<p>Simultaneously, Google is actively contesting antitrust fines imposed by the EU in court, including a landmark penalty of €4.34 billion for its management of the Android mobile operating system. Last year, EU judges reduced the penalty to €4.125 billion; however, Google is currently challenging the case at the highest court within the EU.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/googlers-work-from-office-attendance-to-affect-employee-performance-reviews-602677"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Googlers work-from-office attendance to affect employee performance reviews</strong></a></p>

<p>The outcome of the EU investigation into Google's ad tech practices could have far-reaching implications for the tech giant, potentially resulting in significant fines and regulatory action.</p>

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European Union is all set to deal another massive blow to the US technology giant Google through a formal antitrust complaint. Bloomberg reported that the EU could launch the charge sheet against Google as soon as Wednesday, which could result in the EU imposing more fines on the US company along with targeting its highly successful ad tech model.

European Union is all set to deal another massive blow to the US technology giant Google through a formal antitrust complaint. Bloomberg reported that the EU could launch the charge sheet against Google as soon as Wednesday, which could result in the EU imposing more fines on the US company along with targeting its highly successful ad tech model. It must be noted that Google generates about 80 per cent of its total revenues from the advertising business, and any rule by the EU targeting its ads model could have a major impact on the company’s performance. The toughest ever anti-Google move by the EU The EU’s recent move against Google is considered to be the toughest ever taken by the EU’s watchdog. Earlier, the EU launched an investigation against Google back in 2021, which aimed at examining whether Google obstructed rivals' access to user data for online advertising and if it unfairly ring-fenced data for its own use. Under EU regulations, fines for antitrust violations can be as high as 10 per cent of a company's global sales. However, it is uncommon for penalties to reach such levels, and companies have the opportunity to defend themselves both before and after fines are imposed. Watch: Google updates its attendance policy × Google has held a dominant position in the industry, enabling it to gather data that facilitates targeted advertising, sell ad space, and provide the technology that connects advertisers with publishers. Google in hot water across nations The UK's competition authority has also been examining Google's ad tech practices, while ongoing litigation against the company's conduct is underway in the United States. Simultaneously, Google is actively contesting antitrust fines imposed by the EU in court, including a landmark penalty of €4.34 billion for its management of the Android mobile operating system. Last year, EU judges reduced the penalty to €4.125 billion; however, Google is currently challenging the case at the highest court within the EU. Also read: Googlers work-from-office attendance to affect employee performance reviews The outcome of the EU investigation into Google's ad tech practices could have far-reaching implications for the tech giant, potentially resulting in significant fines and regulatory action. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

EU’s new antitrust charges to strike Google’s most successful ads model

<p>The parent company of Facebook, Meta, has "breached EU antitrust rules" in the social network’s online classified section, stated the European Commission (EC) in its preliminary finding released on Monday.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Commission takes issue with Meta tying its online classified ads service, Facebook Marketplace, to its personal social network, Facebook," said the EC in its statement. "The Commission is also concerned that Meta is imposing unfair trading conditions on Facebook Marketplace's competitors for its own benefit,” it added.</p>

<p>In the past, the EC has faced several run-ins with tech companies, including Meta, over the company’s practices.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ|</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/metas-targeted-advertisements-could-to-face-restrictions-in-the-eu-report-540691">Meta’s targeted advertisements could face restrictions in the EU: Report</a></p>

<p>This year, the company’s policy arsenal was beefed up with EU legislation’s two new pieces, the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, that include huge financial penalties in case of infringement.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>The acts will be brought into full force throughout 2023 and 2024. The announcement made by the EU on Monday was about Meta’s "suspected violations" of antitrust rules laid out by the EU and provides Meta with a chance to respond to the formal Statement of Objections of the commission.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>The concerns raised emphasise on the way Facebook users are given automatic access by Meta to Facebook Marketplace "whether they want it or not".</p>

<p>The commission added that Facebook Marketplace competitors may face unfair disadvantages due to the link. It also raised concerns over unfair trading practices involved in Instagram and Facebook’s online classified ad services, which fall under the umbrella of Meta.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH|&nbsp;Gravitas: Meta set to fire thousands of employees</strong></p>

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<p>The commission said that user terms mentioned on those platforms allow Meta to use competitors’ ads-related data for boosting Facebook Marketplace.</p>

<p>If the concerns raised by the EU are proven right and evidence of infringement is found, Meta may have to 10% of its global annual turnover as a fine. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
On September 30, the worldwide revenue of Meta was $118 billion.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The parent company of Facebook, Meta, has "breached EU antitrust rules" in the social network’s online classified section, stated the European Commission (EC) in its preliminary finding released on Monday.

The parent company of Facebook, Meta, has "breached EU antitrust rules" in the social network’s online classified section, stated the European Commission (EC) in its preliminary finding released on Monday. "The Commission takes issue with Meta tying its online classified ads service, Facebook Marketplace, to its personal social network, Facebook," said the EC in its statement. "The Commission is also concerned that Meta is imposing unfair trading conditions on Facebook Marketplace's competitors for its own benefit,” it added. In the past, the EC has faced several run-ins with tech companies, including Meta, over the company’s practices. ALSO READ| Meta’s targeted advertisements could face restrictions in the EU: Report This year, the company’s policy arsenal was beefed up with EU legislation’s two new pieces, the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, that include huge financial penalties in case of infringement. The acts will be brought into full force throughout 2023 and 2024. The announcement made by the EU on Monday was about Meta’s "suspected violations" of antitrust rules laid out by the EU and provides Meta with a chance to respond to the formal Statement of Objections of the commission. The concerns raised emphasise on the way Facebook users are given automatic access by Meta to Facebook Marketplace "whether they want it or not". The commission added that Facebook Marketplace competitors may face unfair disadvantages due to the link. It also raised concerns over unfair trading practices involved in Instagram and Facebook’s online classified ad services, which fall under the umbrella of Meta. WATCH| Gravitas: Meta set to fire thousands of employees The commission said that user terms mentioned on those platforms allow Meta to use competitors’ ads-related data for boosting Facebook Marketplace. If the concerns raised by the EU are proven right and evidence of infringement is found, Meta may have to 10% of its global annual turnover as a fine. On September 30, the worldwide revenue of Meta was $118 billion. (With inputs from agencies)

European Commission finds Meta in breach of ‘EU antitrust rules'