The European Union has levied substantial fines against Apple and Meta for violations of digital competition and data protection regulations. These penalties, amounting to 700 million euros, signal a firm stance by the EU against the anti-competitive practices of major tech firms. The fines are among the first under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), indicating a new era of stricter enforcement.

Apple was fined 500 million euros for preventing developers from informing users about cheaper deals outside of the App Store. Meta received a 200 million euro fine related to its “pay or consent” system, which forces users to pay to protect their data or consent to its use on Facebook and Instagram. The EU's antitrust commissioner, Teresa Ribera, emphasized that these fines send a clear message about the bloc's commitment to balanced enforcement action.

Apple has voiced strong opposition to the fine, stating it will appeal the decision. The company claims the EU is unfairly targeting it, which negatively impacts user privacy and security. Meta has also criticized the EU's actions, arguing that the regulations unfairly handicap American businesses while giving preferential treatment to Chinese and European companies.

Adding to Meta's challenges, approximately 200 French media groups are pursuing legal action against the company, accusing it of unlawful collection of user data for targeted advertising. These media outlets, including prominent TV channels, newspapers, and radio broadcasters, claim Meta's data practices violate European data protection rules and have significantly harmed their advertising revenues. Meta and Google collectively dominate the online advertising market, capturing a large share of advertising investments.

In other news, Meta has officially entered the content creation market with the launch of its new app, Edits. This app is designed to compete with platforms like CapCut and offers content creators a range of features, including AI-powered tools, video editing capabilities, and options for collaboration. All features are currently available for free, though Meta may introduce paid features later. The Edits app also includes tools for content creators to jot down video ideas, organize projects, and discover trending audio.

Meta has also introduced measures to protect celebrities' reputations on Facebook and Instagram by identifying and blocking fake advertisements using their images. Additionally, Meta is offering impact grants to startups and researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to foster innovation and development in the region.