Apple Pays Million-Euro Fine in Italy

by Sophie Laurent December 24, 2025

written by Sophie Laurent December 24, 2025

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Apple faces significant penalties in Europe due to anticompetitive practices related to its App Store, with Italy imposing a €98 million fine for allegedly favoring its own apps over third-party ones.
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) claims that Apples App Tracking Transparency feature imposes stricter data collection rules on third-party apps compared to its own, which they argue reduces consent rates and harms developers relying on personalized advertising revenue.
This decision follows a €150 million fine from France over similar concerns about Apples app tracking privacy feature, indicating ongoing regulatory scrutiny of the tech industrys balance between user privacy and fair competition.
The UK may also levy a €170 million fine against Apple, while other European regions continue their investigations into these matters, signaling a growing movement towards regulation in this area.

Apple Faces Million-Euro Penalties in Europe over App Store Anticompetitive Practices

Apple is facing increasing regulatory scrutiny in Europe, with Italy recently fining the company for alleged anticompetitive practices. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has imposed a €98 million penalty on Apple for allegedly exploiting its position in the App Store to disadvantage other companies. The AGCM found that Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature, introduced in 2021, imposes stricter data collection rules on third-party apps than on its own iOS apps. According to the regulator, Apple apps receive tracking approval with a single click, while third-party apps require a two-step process. The AGCM argues this reduces consent rates, harming developers who rely on personalized advertising revenue, and ultimately limiting competition. The Verge has also reported on the AGCM’s findings. This decision follows a €150 million fine levied by France for similar concerns over Apple’s app tracking privacy feature. These actions, along with ongoing investigations in other European regions, reflect a growing movement to regulate the balance between user privacy and fair competition in the tech industry. The UK may also fine Apple up to €170 million.

In Case You Missed It

Get ready for a triple dose of anime and cinema excitement! First off, Carlos Mendoza has just dropped the fantastic news that ‘Gachiakuta Season 2’ is on its way, as announced in his latest post Gachiakuta Season 2 Announced. Fans of season one, buckle up for more adrenaline-pumping action, with Bones Film and Kodansha cooking up new episodes based on Ken Urana and Ando Hideyoshi’s work. Meanwhile, Bruno Pferd unveils Christopher Nolan’s first trailer for his eagerly anticipated adaptation of ‘The Odyssey’ Christopher Nolan Reveals First Trailer for The Odyssey. Matt Damon stars as Ulysses in this ambitious project, promising a serious and physical tone with stunning landscapes and intense action. And if you’re craving more anime, Ahmed Hassan’s recent post First Trailer for Dr. Stone Science Future Cour 3 gives us an exciting sneak peek into the upcoming third cour of ‘Dr. Stone’, with new episodes and 27 volumes ready for you! What a treat these upcoming releases promise to be!