Apple has formally appealed the €500 million fine (approximately NT$19 billion) imposed by the European Commission for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), claiming the decision is "unprecedented" and far exceeds the intentions of the law.

The company emphasized that this ruling not only interferes with its operation of the App Store but also leads to confusion among developers and negatively impacts users. Apple stated that it has already adjusted its rules to comply and avoid daily fines and intends to present its case in court.

The dispute began in late April when the EU ruled that Apple violated steering restrictions outlined in the DMA, hindering developers from informing users about alternative purchasing channels outside the App Store, thereby affecting market competition. Consequently, the EU mandated that Apple allow developers to provide external purchase links within apps.

Faced with the pressure of the penalty, Apple adjusted its App Store policies in the EU at the end of June, allowing developers to freely guide users to external purchasing channels without mandating the use of Apple's in-app purchasing mechanism. The company also plans to modify its fee structure by January 1, 2026, charging up to 20% based on the level of service selected by developers, significantly lower than the previous 30% rate.

Apple noted that this tiered fee structure was created in response to EU demands, which designated certain services as optional, complicating the current plan's design. While Apple is temporarily complying with the Commission's requests, the case still awaits further court rulings. The litigation not only affects Apple's operational strategy in Europe but could also set significant legal precedents regarding the boundaries of authority between digital platforms and regulatory bodies worldwide.