The European Union’s strict control policies towards technology giants have been on Apple and Meta’s agenda for a long time. Both companies were scrutinized by the European Commission for violating competition rules. Now, it is claimed that the negotiations between the parties have reached the final stage. These claims are based on high-level sources with direct knowledge of the process.
Meta’s operations in Europe have often sparked controversy, particularly for the way it handles user data. The “accept or pay” model that the company offers to Facebook and Instagram users has faced serious objections from the European Commission. Users are forced to either give permission to process their personal data or opt for a paid subscription. This approach previously resulted in a fine of 200 million euros on the grounds that it limited user choices. Despite this, Meta argues that this model is necessary for data security and service quality. Now, the Commission demands that this system become more transparent and accessible.
Apple and Meta’s influence in Europe is directly shaped by the negotiations
On the Apple front, the focus is on App Store policies and developer agreements. Although some flexibility was introduced in June, the European Commission did not find these changes sufficient. The payment system and distribution rules that the company imposes, especially on third-party developers, are at the center of criticism. In addition to all these, Apple’s attitude towards alternative application stores is also among the controversial topics. The European Commission expects more options to be offered to developers and users. In this regard, it seems that Apple will need to re-evaluate its current attitude.
The main problem facing both companies is that the regulatory framework in Europe is quite different from practices in the United States. The European Union adopts the goal of providing a more transparent, fair and competitive environment for technology companies within the scope of the Digital Markets Law. This goal naturally radically affects the business models of large technology companies. However, considering the global activity of companies such as Apple and Meta, the impact of rules within the EU can have much wider consequences. At this point, it can be said that the negotiations will create not only local but also global results. Every regulation in Europe, in a sense, shapes the global technology agenda.
According to sources close to the talks, the European Commission has not yet made its final decisions. Despite this, it is stated that there is serious optimism towards a solution in both files. Especially on the Meta side, restructuring the user interface and providing clearer guidance on data preferences are among the issues on the table. For Apple, it is stated that the pressure on developer contracts and payment infrastructure continues. Prolonging these processes may expose companies to fines that can reach up to 5 percent of their daily turnover. Therefore, the course of the negotiations is of critical importance not only legally but also financially.
Although Meta has begun to reconsider its practices in Europe, gaining user trust will not be easy. The importance given to data privacy in Europe calls into question the sustainability of the company’s current model. However, some users argue that being redirected to a paid model undermines the free nature of the service. It is obvious that Meta needs to develop a more inclusive model by taking these criticisms into account. Otherwise, user satisfaction problems may deepen further. It is known that the commission evaluates this process not only within a legal but also an ethical framework.
Apple, on the other hand, continues to argue that the changes in the App Store are sufficient. But the European Commission does not intend to ignore developer complaints. At this point, Apple is asked to make its payment systems more flexible and provide an environment open to competition. Although the company can meet these demands to a limited extent, it may have to fully comply with the new regulations. In addition, it should not be forgotten that consumer rights legislation in Europe has become stricter in recent years. In light of these developments, it no longer seems possible for Apple to move forward without making compromises.
In the negotiations conducted so far, both Apple and Meta aim to conclude the process as smoothly as possible. Especially the emergence of billions of euro fines causes companies to act more willingly in reconciliation. These developments reveal that technology giants are evaluated not only by their product and service quality, but also by their compliance with regulations. For the European Union, these files are critical for clarifying the rules in the digital economy. It will be clearer how this process will take shape as the final decisions are announced in the coming weeks.
It is thought that this regulatory pressure in Europe will also be directed towards other large technology companies such as Google and Amazon in the coming period. Therefore, how Apple and Meta emerge from this process will set an example for other actors in the industry. This is not just about preventing penalties; It also means reshaping long-term business strategies. Although the process is complex and exhausting, it is clear that such negotiations are decisive for the future of the digital economy. The European market is now at the center of not only sales but also compliance.