According to a report by Financial Times, Apple is negotiating last-minute changes to its App Store with the European Commission to avoid escalating fines under the Digital Markets Act.
The Cupertino tech giant, valued at $3 trillion, is under growing pressure to comply with the bloc’s new rules aimed at reining in the power of dominant digital platforms.
In March 2025, Apple was slapped with a €500 million penalty for allegedly violating the DMA’s fair competition standards—particularly the rules surrounding “anti-steering” provisions. These provisions have historically prevented developers from directing users to alternative purchasing methods outside of Apple’s tightly controlled App Store ecosystem.
Now, as a critical June 26 deadline approaches, Apple is expected to propose concessions that would allow more flexibility for developers and potentially allow external offers within apps. According to individuals familiar with the discussions, the changes Apple plans to introduce are designed to buy more time and delay further regulatory action.
The EU is expected to take time to review the proposed adjustments before deciding whether they satisfy compliance expectations.
In addition to the anti-steering provisions, EU regulators have also taken issue with Apple’s controversial “Core Technology Fee,” which charges developers for each annual app install after crossing the 1 million download threshold. While that policy has faced intense scrutiny since June 2024, it remains unclear whether the Commission will escalate enforcement or drop the matter, depending on Apple’s next moves.
Also under the EU’s spotlight is Meta, which is facing a parallel deadline this week to prove that its revised ad model—announced in November 2024—complies with the DMA. The Commission will rule on whether those changes are sufficient to avoid additional penalties.
While Apple has declined to comment on the ongoing talks, the Commission has confirmed its active engagement with the company, emphasizing that it retains extensive enforcement powers if Apple fails to meet DMA obligations.
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