Apple has filed a formal appeal against a €500 million ($587 million) fine imposed by the European Commission, challenging the ruling in Europe’s second-highest court.
The penalty, issued earlier this year, accused Apple of breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by limiting how app developers can inform users about cheaper offers outside the App Store.
Commission Accuses Apple of Anti-Competitive Conduct
In April, the European Commission found that Apple’s commercial and technical restrictions unlawfully prevented developers from steering users toward more affordable alternatives.
According to the Commission, these practices breached the newly introduced DMA, designed to curb the dominance of major Tech platforms and promote fair competition.
The DMA specifically targets companies designated as “gatekeepers,” and Apple’s App Store policies were one of the first test cases under the legislation.
As part of the ruling, Apple was fined €500 million and ordered to remove the restrictions or face additional daily penalties.
Apple Says Penalty Goes Beyond Legal Boundaries
In a statement released Monday, Apple criticized the decision and confirmed it had filed its legal challenge before the deadline.
“Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission’s decision — and their unprecedented fine — go far beyond what the law requires,” Apple said.
The company argued that the Commission is effectively dictating how it should operate its App Store and impose terms that are confusing for developers and potentially harmful to users.
Apple added that the recent changes it made were to avoid daily fines of up to 5% of its global average revenue, which could total roughly €50 million per day.