Apple appeals $587m EU fine over App Store practices

Apple has appealed a €500 million ($587m) fine from EU regulators and has taken the case to Europe’s second-highest court.

As reported by Reuters, the fine was issued earlier this year after the iPhone maker violated the Digital Markets Act’s rules designed to limit market dominance.

"Today we filed our appeal because we believe the European Commission's decision - and their unprecedented fine - go far beyond what the law requires," Apple said in a statement.

"As our appeal will show, the EC is mandating how we run our store and forcing business terms which are confusing for developers and bad for users. We implemented this to avoid punitive daily fines and will share the facts with the court."

Appeals and compliances 

In April, the European Commission ruled that Apple violated the Digital Markets Act by restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper deals outside the App Store. Under the act, developers must be allowed to inform users of, and direct them to, alternative offers. 

Apple then filed a lawsuit on Monday, July 7th - the deadline to appeal the decision - after previously stating its intent to challenge the ruling.

Meanwhile, Apple revised its App Store rules last month to comply with an EU order and avoid daily fines of up to €50m ($58.7m). The European Commission is now consulting app developers to decide whether Apple’s changes are sufficient or if further adjustments are needed.