Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are reportedly nearing settlements with the European Commission to resolve their ongoing antitrust disputes under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to a report by The Financial Times.
The two U.S. technology giants are said to be in the final stages of negotiations with European regulators to modify their business practices and bring them into compliance with the bloc’s digital competition rules.
The talks come just months after the Commission imposed a combined fine of €700 million ($772 million) on the companies in April for breaches of the DMA. The potential settlement would allow Apple and Meta to avoid additional escalating penalties, which could reach up to 5% of their average global daily revenue, according to FT.
The DMA, which aims to curb anti-competitive conduct by so-called “gatekeepers,” has been a source of tension between the EU and the United States. The dispute has drawn political attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump warning of possible retaliation against countries he claims are “discriminating” against American firms.
Meta’s Negotiations Focus on User Access and Transparency
According to FT, discussions between Meta and the European Commission have centered on ensuring that EU consumers can easily locate and navigate Meta’s various service options, including those that provide users with choices about data sharing and privacy. The company’s initial compliance proposals were reportedly deemed insufficient, prompting further talks aimed at finding a workable solution.
Meta recently received approval for a joint venture with India’s Reliance Industries Limited, focused on enterprise artificial intelligence services — a sign of improving relations with regulators following a string of compliance challenges earlier this year.
Apple’s App Store Policies Under Renewed Scrutiny
Apple, meanwhile, continues to negotiate over revisions to its App Store policies and developer contracts. The company had previously faced a €500 million ($586 million) fine in July 2025 for alleged anti-competitive restrictions within its App Store ecosystem. Apple contested the decision, calling it “unprecedented” and claiming that the penalty “far exceeded what the law requires.”
The company has since pledged to introduce new contractual terms for app developers operating within the EU and to increase transparency regarding in-app payment systems — key areas of focus under the DMA.
Market Implications
While the potential settlements primarily concern regulatory compliance, analysts note that both firms continue to perform strongly on market metrics. Benzinga’s Proprietary Edge Rankings show Meta with a growth score of 85.66%, outperforming Apple’s sub-30% rating, though both maintain momentum ratings above 70%.
If concluded, the settlements would represent a strategic inflection point in the EU’s application of the Digital Markets Act—demonstrating regulators’ commitment to reshaping platform competition and the adaptive shift of major U.S. tech firms toward long-term regulatory alignment.
