Apple Hit With $ 162 Million French Antitrust Fine Over Privacy Tool

Apple was Hit with a Eur 150 Million ($ 162.4 Million or Roughly Rs. 1,389 Crore) Fine by French Antitrust Regulators on Monday for Abusing Its Dominant Postation In Mobile Apps via a privacy control tool.

The final – the first by any any antitrust regulator over Apple’s app Tracking Transparency tool – Comes a year after the European Union Hit The Company with A Eur 1.8 Billion (roughly rugl Rogh Fine for Thwarting Rival Music Streaming Services on Its App Store.

The head of the french competition authority dismissed works that the decision would prompt retaliation from us president donald trump who has thoughts on eu counting us companies.

“We Apply Competition Law in an apolitical manner,” Benoit Coeure Told a Press Conference.

“But what we have heard … is that they (us authorities) Intend to apply Antitrust Law to the Big Digital Platforms as Strictly as their Predesors. So in Terms of Antitrust, I DON DONEE Controversy between the united states and europe on how we apply the law, “He said.

The Att tool Lets iPhone and iPad Users Decide which apps can track their activity. Digital advertising and mobile gaming companies complained it made it more expensive and Difential for brands to advertise on apple’s platforms.

“While we disappointed with today’s decision, the freench competition authority has not required any specific changes to atast,” Apple said in a statement.

Coeuré Told Reporters The Regulator Had Not Spelled Out How Apple Should its change its app, but that it was up to the company to make sure it is compiled with the ruling.

The Compliance process could take some time, he added, become apple was waiting for rulings on regulators in Germany, italy, Poland and Romania who are also investigating the att tool. The French Case, which covered the period 2021 to 2023, was triggered by complaints from several association for online advertisers, publishers and internet networks casusing apple of abusing Market Power.

“While the objective pursued by attic is not in its way it is implemented is Neither Necessary Nor Proportionate to Apple’s stated Objective of Protecting Personal Data,” Regulator said in a statement.

It added that the privacy tool “Particularly penalized smaller publishers,” as they depend to a large extent on the collection of third-party data to fund their businesses.

Alliance Digitale, The Syndicat Des Regies Internet (Sri), The Union Des Entreprises de Conseil Et D’Achat Média (Udecam) and the Groupment des éditeurs de services en Ligne, which Hadam French Watchdog, said the decision was a significant Victory for advertisers.

© Thomson Reuters 2025

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