On Thursday, European Commission spokesperson Lea Zuber expressed optimism that decisions regarding ongoing proceedings against Apple and Meta would be forthcoming. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), both companies could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.
The DMA establishes regulations for major online platforms within the EU, aiming to curb the monopolistic practices of the largest digital firms, termed “gatekeepers,” and foster increased competition in the digital marketplace. This applies particularly to companies with annual revenues exceeding 7.5 billion euros in the EU and more than 45 million monthly active users.
Proceedings against Apple and Meta were initiated by the EC in March 2024. Apple is accused of limiting access in its app stores to offers not affiliated with the company. In Meta’s case, the investigation concerns a mechanism on its platforms that allows users to either consent to personal data processing for personalized advertisements or pay to avoid ads altogether.
A year ago, the EC had stated its intention to wrap up the proceedings within a 12-month timeframe, but that deadline has since lapsed.
When asked on Thursday if the EC would wait 90 days to announce decisions on both cases, Zuber noted that these proceedings coincided with ongoing confusion regarding tariffs imposed on trading partners, including the EU, by the former Trump administration.
While the EU claims that big tech regulations are separate from trade negotiations, the outcomes for these two American giants could have ramifications for tariff discussions between Washington and Brussels. Following Trump’s announcement of a temporary suspension of certain tariffs for 90 days, the EU also announced on Thursday that it would suspend retaliatory tariffs.
Zuber confirmed to reporters in Brussels that the timeline for concluding the proceedings against these tech giants, as specified in the DMA, is adaptable.
She explained that the proceedings are taking longer due to the DMA being a new regulation that provides the EC with additional tools. “We need to ensure a thorough process and prepare our decisions carefully. Our goal is to make them legally robust to prevent any overturning in court,” she emphasized.
“I hope we will be able to present them soon,” Zuber concluded. (04.11.2025)
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