fairly, proportionally, and without bias, regardless of the company’s origin.
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Pending Fines: What’s the Holdup?
Since January 2025, various news outlets have reported deliberate delays in announcing sanctions against certain major tech companies. These decisions, which were supposed to be made public under the DMA, were reportedly postponed as the Trump administration intensified its trade measures against the Union.
The aim appears to be to avoid fueling trade tensions, especially during tariff negotiations between Donald Trump and European representatives. More recently, there was talk of a significant fine being suspended at the last minute, while discussions were ongoing between Brussels and Washington.
Ursula Von der Leyen Defends the Commission’s Independence
Ursula von der Leyen has dismissed these accusations. In her latest statement, she reminded that the Commission has already initiated several proceedings against platforms like Apple, Meta, TikTok, or X under the DMA, and reaffirmed that a company’s origin should not influence the application of the law. We do not care where a company comes from or who runs it. We care about protecting people,
she stated.
Officially, the proceedings are underway. However, according to several sources familiar with the matter, the fines anticipated could be significantly lower than the maximum allowed. The DMA can impose sanctions up to 10% of a company’s global annual revenue, which amounts to several billion dollars for giants like Apple or Meta.
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In reality, the new leadership at the European Commission seems to be adopting a more pragmatic approach, favoring strict adherence to rules over imposing dramatic sanctions.
Some observers, however, recall that the EU has not always been as neutral as it claims. In a dispute involving Spotify (based in Sweden), Apple Music was fined for abusing its dominant position, even though Spotify has more than double the subscribers. This precedent fuels criticism of a potential bias in favor of European companies.
What Are the Next Steps for the DMA?
Despite denials, the lack of a clear timetable for Brussels’ decisions maintains uncertainty. The European Union remains very strict about regulating digital giants. However, geopolitical pressure, particularly regarding American tariffs, appears to now influence the timing of its announcements.
Lastly, for those who seek a spectacle demand justice, a decision seems to be forthcoming. Apparently, the largest fine being prepared may not involve Apple or Meta, but the social network X. The company is under scrutiny by the Commission for its inadequate efforts in moderating hateful or false content. According to several sources, a penalty exceeding one billion dollars could be announced in the coming months.