The European Union has imposed fines on US IT giants Apple and Meta for breaching a EU law designed to ensure fair competition in digital markets.



The European Commission announced the measure on Wednesday, saying both firms failed to comply with the Digital Markets Act.



It said Apple breached the law because it restricts app developers' opportunities to make offers to customers through distribution channels outside its App Store.



The commission said Meta was non-compliant because it required users to consent to personal data combination for personalized advertising or pay subscription fees for an ad-free service.



The commission said it had fined Apple 500 million euros, equivalent to about 570 million dollars, and Meta 200 million euros, or about 230 million dollars.



This is the first time the EU has imposed a fine based on the legislation that came into full effect in March last year. It allows the commission to fine non-compliant companies up to 10 percent of their global annual turnover.



The commission's Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said in a statement, "We have taken firm but balanced enforcement action" based on rules. She added, "All companies operating in the EU must follow our laws."



A Meta official told NHK that the European Commission is attempting to handicap successful US businesses, and is forcing them to change their business model.



The company added that the commission is also hurting European businesses and economies. It said the decision is flawed and it will likely appeal.