In April of this year, the EU Commission imposed a €500 million fine on Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act. Recently, the Commission stated that Apple continues to violate the law and demanded that the company allow developers to offer promotions through channels outside the App Store.

Although Apple has permitted developers to sell in-app digital content using third-party payment methods, the Commission noted that Apple has imposed unnecessary "barriers" in external transactions, attempting to persuade users to complete payments using Apple's own payment tools. When users click on external payment links within the app, the system prompts that they will be directed to an external site, and Apple disclaims responsibility for the privacy and transaction security of that link, which is perceived as steering users to be wary of external transactions.

The EU Commission has stated that if Apple does not improve, it will impose a fine equivalent to 5% of its global market revenue. In its response, Apple expressed disappointment with the Commission's decision, stating that the nearly 70-page ruling did not fairly evaluate its practices, and emphasized that its methods consider the privacy and transaction security of users in the European market. Apple believes the ruling will hinder market innovation and competition, as well as its product development. Apple plans to appeal before the Commission's deadline of June 22.