APPLE INC. 
(MT Newswires) -- Apple has been fined €1.84 billion for anti-competitive practices, far exceeding initial expectations of €500 million. This marks a first for Apple, which until now was the only member of the GAFAM group - comprising technology giants Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft - never to have been convicted by the authorities in Europe.
The fine focuses on abuse of the iOS platform and, more specifically, Apple's handling of competition from other developers of music streaming apps, such as Spotify. The EU described Apple's actions as illegal and stressed the need for the company to rectify its behaviour immediately, after ten years of infringements.
In response to the penalty, Apple announced its intention to appeal, arguing that the regulators had not demonstrated any damage to the market, given that companies such as Spotify have experienced considerable growth.
The impact of this fine extends beyond the isolated case of Apple and comes ahead of the entry into force of the EU's Digital Markets Act, a law that aims to extensively regulate competition in the technology sector. This substantial fine comes at a time when the EU is seeking to assert its role as the main regulator of the technology giants and show its determination to enforce its laws.
Apple, though defiant, is in the sights of the EU, which wants to send a strong message to the major technology companies: non-compliance with competition rules will no longer be tolerated.
