"Apple challenges €500m EU penalty for app store violations as unprecedented"

Apple has appealed against a €500m (£430m) fine imposed by the EU, marking another dispute between major tech firms and European regulators.

The company criticized the European Commission, claiming it went beyond legal requirements in a disagreement over its app store policies. Earlier this year, the commission imposed the penalty after concluding Apple had violated the Digital Markets Act by restricting developers from directing users to lower-cost alternatives outside its platform.

To comply with EU demands and avoid further penalties—potentially 5% of its daily global revenue, or roughly €50m per day—Apple recently revised its app store rules, lifting technical and commercial restrictions. As part of these changes, the company introduced new fee structures for developers. However, Apple now argues that Brussels forced it to adopt confusing business terms to prevent penalties.

"We are appealing because the Commission’s decision—and its unprecedented fine—exceeds legal obligations," said Apple, which has taken its case to the EU’s General Court. "Our appeal will demonstrate that the EC is dictating how we operate our store, imposing terms that confuse developers and harm users."

The company also accused regulators of broadening the definition of "steering," referring to how developers guide users away from the app store. Officials reportedly expanded this term to cover not just external links but also promotional offers within apps.

Meanwhile, political figures have weighed in on the dispute. Peter Navarro, a trade advisor to Donald Trump, accused the EU of using regulations as "lawfare" against U.S. tech giants, framing it as part of a broader strategy of non-tariff trade conflicts.

Henna Virkkunen, a European Commission vice-president overseeing tech policy, previously stated that the EU would not abandon its regulations to secure a trade deal with the U.S. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also criticized Europe’s digital policies, calling them a form of "institutionalized censorship."

Trump has set a deadline of 9 July to finalize a trade agreement, threatening to impose a 50% tariff on EU imports if negotiations fail.

Legal experts suggest Apple strongly resists changes to its app store model. "The reality is that it’s worth spending on legal challenges to stall the emergence of a more open app market, which is worth billions," said Tom Smith, a competition lawyer and former UK regulator.