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Tag: Europe

  • Apple to tweak App Store rules in Europe to Dodge more fines

    Apple to tweak App Store rules in Europe to Dodge more fines

    Apple is in a rush to avoid new penalties from the European Union over its App Store policies. Back in April 2025, the EU fined Apple €500 million for breaking the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to make tech companies play fair. The issue? Apple’s rules stopped app developers from telling users about cheaper payment options outside the App Store.

    The EU gave Apple 60 days to fix these rules, with a deadline of June 26, 2025. Now, Apple is in last-minute talks with EU officials to ease its “anti-steering” restrictions, which limit developers from guiding users to external payment systems. A report suggests Apple might soon announce changes, like letting developers add links to their websites for payments, though it still charges a 27% fee on those transactions.

    The EU is also eyeing Apple’s Core Technology Fee, a 50-cent charge per app install per year, which developers must pay. Discussions have touched on this fee, but no clear changes have been confirmed yet. If Apple’s tweaks satisfy the EU, it could avoid more fines. If not, the EU has the power to hit Apple with bigger penalties for ignoring DMA rules.

    Apple’s already made some changes, like allowing one external payment link in the EU, but the EU wants more freedom for developers and users. The outcome of these talks will decide if Apple can keep its App Store model or face tougher consequences.

  • Apple launches priority alerts as smart features reach the EU

    Apple launches priority alerts as smart features reach the EU

    On March 31, 2025, Apple introduced a handy new tool called Priority Notifications. This feature is part of its growing Apple Intelligence system, which is now available in the European Union. It helps users spot important messages fast by marking urgent emails, texts, or app alerts with a special sign. For example, it can highlight a reminder about a doctor’s visit or a warning about a flight delay.

    The company says this update makes life easier by cutting through the noise of everyday notifications. Users can tweak settings to decide what counts as “urgent” based on their needs. Apple Intelligence uses smart tech to learn what matters most to each person, like key words or habits, without being too pushy.

    This rollout also marks a big step for Apple in the EU. After facing some rules and delays, the company is now bringing its full smart system to the region. Priority Notifications work across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so people stay in the loop no matter which device they’re using. Early users say it’s a simple but powerful way to stay on top of things.

    Apple plans to keep improving its smart tools, with more updates coming later this year. For now, Priority Notifications are a win for anyone who wants to focus on what’s important without digging through a flood of pings and buzzes. It’s a small change that could make a big difference.

  • Apple to pay small fine for breaking EU rules

    Apple to pay small fine for breaking EU rules

    The European Union (EU) is set to charge Apple a small fine for not following the Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to Reuters. This law helps keep big tech companies in check, and Apple seems to have slipped up.

    Last year, the EU found that Apple wasn’t playing fair with its App Store rules. Specifically, it didn’t let app makers tell users about cheaper options outside the store. In June, EU competition boss Margrethe Vestager called out Apple for some “pretty big” problems with following the DMA. She wasn’t impressed with the changes Apple made, saying they didn’t meet expectations for a company of its size.

    To fix this, Apple updated its App Store rules in Europe last year. It allowed apps to be sold outside the store and added new payment options. After feedback from the EU, Apple also tweaked its rules in August to make it clearer that developers could share outside deals. These quick updates can be tricky to follow, so developers in the EU can check Apple’s website for the latest rules.

    The DMA lets the EU fine companies up to 10% of their yearly global sales, but Reuters sources say the focus is on getting companies to follow the rules, not hitting them with huge penalties. Things might also shift because U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on countries fining American firms like Apple. Plus, with nthe ew EU leadership, the fine might not be as tough as it could’ve been last year. The EU hasn’t set the fine amount yet, but a decision is expected soon.

    Meanwhile, in Brazil, Apple’s facing similar heat. The government there is pushing Apple to allow sideloading—installing apps from outside the App Store. Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, plans to bring the game back to iOS in Brazil by July after these changes. Apple has until June to follow Brazil’s rules or face daily fines. Though Apple’s appealing the decision, it may have to adapt, just like it did in Europe, where sideloading is already allowed.

  • Trump criticizes EU over fines on Apple and other US tech companies

    Trump criticizes EU over fines on Apple and other US tech companies

    Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has voiced strong disapproval of the European Union (EU) for imposing hefty fines on American tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook.

    US President Labels EU Actions as “Taxation”

    Speaking virtually at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump accused the EU of unfairly targeting major US companies. He described the fines as a “form of taxation” against American businesses, expressing frustration with the EU’s regulatory measures.

    Trump stated, “They’ve taken $15 or $16 billion from Apple, billions from Google, and now they’re after Facebook for even more. These are American companies, and what the EU is doing is wrong. In my view, it’s just another way of taxing them. We have serious complaints about the EU.”

    The Apple case Trump referred to centers around a lengthy legal dispute over taxes in Ireland. The EU ruled that Apple’s tax arrangement with Ireland violated its laws, forcing the tech giant to pay significant back taxes.

    Trump’s Broader Criticism of the EU

    Beyond tech companies, Trump criticized the EU’s broader economic policies, highlighting trade imbalances. He remarked, “The EU treats the US very unfairly. We’re dealing with hundreds of billions in trade deficits with them. No one is happy about it, and we’re going to take action.”

    Reactions and Implications

    Critics, however, were quick to point out Trump’s inconsistent stance. While he condemned the EU for regulating American firms, his own policies often focused on tariffs and trade measures against foreign businesses.

    These remarks signal potential challenges ahead for US tech companies operating in Europe. As the EU continues to scrutinize firms like Apple, Google, and Facebook, the friction between American leadership and European regulators could intensify.

    Trump’s statements also raise questions about how his administration might approach issues like App Store regulations and other matters affecting US tech firms in global markets.